Cork City goalkeeper Noel Mooney was hailed a hero at the Brandywell last night when he saved Derry City's first three spot kicks in a thrilling penalty shootout after extra time failed to decide which team would qualify for the league cup semi-finals.

And it was a justified win for Cork as they had led 2-1 during added time before referee John Stacey awarded the home side a controversial penalty with only 90 seconds remaining.

Stuart Gauld scored from the spot to cancel out Gerry Dobbs' 103rd minute lead.

The game exploded into action with Cork silencing the 2,000 in the stands with the opening goal in the third minute.

An Ollie Cahill cross saw Kelvin Flanagan ghost in behind the Derry defence to head the ball powerfully home.

But Derry amazingly restored equality within a minute when Eamonn Doherty fed Gary Beckett and the midfielder hammered the ball high into the net from 10 yards.

Both teams had chances to win the match during normal time, but both Mooney and his counterpart David Platt stood firm to deny their opposing forwards.

Cork, therefore, join St Patrick's Athletic, Shamrock Rovers and Galway United in this year's semi-final draw.

Derry City: Platt, McCallion, Kelly, Gauld, Curran, Doherty, Hargan, Hegarty, Gilmore, Beckett, McHugh, Subs: L Coyle for Gilmore (55 mins); R Coyle for Doherty (63 mins); McCaul for Beckett(108 mins).

Cork City: Mooney, O'Halloran, Cronin, Daly, Coughlan, Barry-Murphy, Cahill, Flanagan, Dobbs, Herrick, Kabia. Subs: Caulfield for Cronin (half-time); Hartigan for Kabia (64 mins); Cotter for Herrick (110 mins).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).