MORTON 1 MCHUGH (PEN 44,) BRORA RANGERS 1 GILLESPIE (PEN 29)
BRORA produced an impressive performance to earn a replay, as favourites Morton failed to live up to their Championship status.
Instead, the Highland League outfit held their own for much of an eventful game in which the sides traded firsthalf penalties.
Brora boss Steven Mackay said: “We weren’t foolish enough to go in gung-ho. We just gently worked our way into the game in the first 20 minutes, which was pleasing. We created a few half-chances, got the penalty, which I think was a penalty, so that gave us confidence.
“I’d need to see it again, but their penalty looked a really harsh decision. Sometimes these things happen, but the boys were frustrated at the decision.
“The result is up there in terms of the club’s best results. To come down to a Championship side and get a result, albeit it’s a draw not a victory, is pleasing.”
Brora had the better of the chances, while the home side, perhaps rattled by the underdogs, sent long balls up the park in a bid to force the breakthrough.
However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock when Gavin Morrison was upended in the box and Dale Gillespie stepped up and hammered the spotkick into the bottom left corner to give Brora a deserved lead.
Morton looked anxious to respond and they grabbed a lifeline on the stroke of halftime with the game’s second penalty.
The Brora defence came under sustained pressure which culminated with Colin
Williamson using a hand to divert a shot and Bob McHugh made an expert job from the penalty-spot.
Morton were rejuvenated on the restart and it seemed only a matter of time before they would complete their comeback
But Brora held on and continued to press forward at every opportunity.
Both sides could have claimed a place in the next round in the dying minutes, McHugh missing a sitter as he miskicked a tap-in.
It was almost punished seconds later as Brora had a shot skied over by Paul Brindle in a nervy finale to a hardfought contest.
Ton boss David Hopkin said: “Brora showed what a well organised side they are and they deserve credit.
“However we lost a poor goal, giving away possession.”