After Rui Costa had put Milan ahead on the night with a fifth minute free-kick, the decisive goal came on the stroke of halftime when Hapoel captain Shimon Gershon headed a Rui Costa cross into his own net.

It was a bitter way for the Cup run to end for Gershon, who had led Hapoel to memorable wins over Chelsea and Parma as they became the first Israeli side to reach the last eight of the competition. They beat Milan, five-times European champions, 1-0 in last week's first leg in a match switched to neutral Cyprus because of security concerns raised by the political situation in Israel.

But while Hapoel showed the spirit, determination and organisation that has been the key to their outstanding European campaign they were well beaten on the night by a Milan side finally showing signs of finding their form in a dismal season.

If the San Siro crowd feared another edgy night after their victory on penalties in the last round over Dutch side Roda JC Kerkrade, their nerves were eased in the fifth minute when Portuguese playmaker Rui Costa scored with a low free-kick from 20 metres.

Hapoel responded positively and four minutes later Milan Osterc went close with a header that flashed just wide of Christian Abbiati's right-hand post.

ENJOYED SPACE

Milan have struggled this season with patchy results in Serie A and a failure to produce the quality of football expected of the club, but they enjoyed the space given to them in midfield and pushed forward in search of a second goal.

Massimo Ambrosini forced a fine save out of Hapoel goalkeeper Shavit Elimelech with a sweetly-struck drive and Elimelech was at full-stretch again to keep out a long-range effort from the lively Rui Costa.

Ambrosini might have done better when a Marco Simone cross-shot clipped the bar, but the Italy midfielder was unable to turn the ball home from a tight angle at the back post.

But on the stroke of halftime Milan gained the overall lead when Rui Costa crossed from the right towards a hovering Filippo Inzaghi and Gershon looked to intercept but his diving header flew into the net.

Such a blow might have weakened the will of more frail sides but Hapoel continued to take up the fight after the interval and gave Milan a reminder that the tie was still wide-open when Osterc forced a superb diving save out of Abbiati with a glancing header from a Yossis Abuksis free-kick.

JINKING RUN

But Rui Costa, who has experienced a deeply disappointing first season at Milan following his move from Fiorentina, continued to show signs of his old self with a jinking run followed by a shot that flew out off the outside of the post.

Hapoel had a claim for a penalty turned down when Asaf Domb fell inside the area but German referee Herbert Fendel waved away the protests.

The incident prompted Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to replace striker Simone with midfielder Massimo Donati as he sought to tighten up ahead of a late rally from the Israeli side.

But the last stand never came and apart from a low shot from Istvan Pisont that Abbiati pushed wide Hapoel were unable to find space near goal.