At long, long last Lisburn Distillery's semi-final hoodoo was broken as they defeated the Shield holders, Linfield, at Windsor Park.

Many regarded the result a shock and whilst the Whites may have been the underdogs on the night, there can be little doubt that the confidence in the side has been growing in recent weeks and that formed the basis for this superb result.

Darren Armour scored the vital goals, whilst Phil Matthews once again proved his pedigree with a succession of vital saves that denied David Jeffrey's men.

Michael Gault shot wide for the Blues on 12 minutes before Matthews saved two efforts from Peter Thompson - vital saves.

On 29 minutes Armour put the Whites in front, a low cross from the right was turned in by the in-form striker.Gault was then denied by the woodwork before Matthews spectacularly kept out Paul McAreavey's header.

Within seconds, Matthews long ball down the park was flicked on by Marty Verner and Armour ran on, his shot going in despite Alan Mannus getting a hand to it.

Six minutes to the break and at two-nil things were looking good, but the Whites tried to play football in the wrong area of the park and Mark Dickson hauled the Blues back into contention on 43 minutes.

The second-half was a rugged contest as the fog swirled around Windsor. The Whites were under a lot of pressure throughout and Linfield sub Thomas Stewart saw Matthews save his header on 58 minutes.

On 66 minutes it looked like Linfield would level after the referee awarded a penalty against Paul Muir for hand-ball or was it more a case of ball to hand? In the end it was academic as 'marvellous Matthews' went down to his right to keep out McAreavey's spot kick.

On 73 minutes the Whites squandered a good counter-attack before Linfield sub Timmy Adamson forced Matthews into yet another save on 76 minutes.Adamson fired wide shortly after that.

Near the end the Whites should have wrapped the game up on the break.Conor Hagan broke on the right, but with two men free at the back post he shot over the bar, the ball bobbling on the soft playing surface.

Four minutes of added time did nothing to relieve the tension in the Whites support before the celebrations at the final whistle said it all.Whilst Linfield fans were angry at going out of the competition, to their credit a number of them clapped the Whites off the park - a sporting gesture acknowledged by the 14 heroes in white.

The final is scheduled for the 23rd January 2007.