Cup holders Deportivo edge past Murcia on away goals

King's Cup holders Deportivo Coruna squeezed through to the semi-finals on the away goals rule after going down 4-3 to second division leaders Murcia in an extraordinary quarter-final second leg clash on Thursday.

Depor, leading 1-0 from the first leg at Riazor, looked to have settled the tie by the half-hour mark as Diego Tristan struck twice to give them a three-goal advantage.

David Karanka gave the home side hope by getting one back on 35 minutes and Deportivo were close to succumbing to a whirlwind fightback at the start of the second half.

Juanma reduced the deficit within 90 seconds of the restart with a far-post header and, incredibly, Murcia moved 3-2 ahead on the night just five minutes later when Joan Capdevila handled in the area and Tito fired in the resulting penalty.

Manuel Pablo brought Depor back to 3-3 with a sweetly struck right-foot volley on 58 minutes but Javier Irureta's side were still unable to settle as Murcia pressed forward at every opportunity.

Juanmi twice made good saves from Murcia counter-attacks before Miguel Albiol got in ahead of the defence to head home Tito's right-wing freekick at the near post in the 84th minute.

The final six minutes produced some nailbiting moments for the visitors as Murcia threw everything forward but despite a couple of shouts for penalties Depor managed to hold on.

Deportivo will join Real Mallorca, Osasuna and Recreativo Huelva in the draw for the semi-finals.

Mallorca pulled off the surprise result of the quarter-finals, their 4-0 win at home to Real Madrid in Wednesday's second leg giving them a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Osasuna had a much tougher task on Wednesday, the Navarrans needing extra-time to win 3-2, and 4-3 overall, against Sevilla.

Recreativo held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw at the Calderon on Tuesday to take their place thanks to a 1-0 win the first leg.