Four in walk of shame for Vale

Brora 1 Vale of Leithen 0

A stoppage-time winner from Brora Rangers captain Steven Mackay sent the Highland League leaders into the second round of the Scottish Cup after a remarkable cup tie at Dudgeon Park which saw four of the visiting team sent off.

The game looked to be heading for a replay until Mackay hammered home a loose ball 30 seconds into injury time.

By the end Vale were reduced to seven men after James Young and John Ross Kerr were red-carded late in the first half, and substitute Scott Gormley andEddieMearns followed near the end.

Vale manager Chic McAleavy was also sent to the stand by the overworked referee Craig Sim.

Brora manager Davie Kirkwood was not impressed by his opponents’ antics. He said: “Hats off to

“There is no place in the game for that. It was a disgrace”

our players who never got involved in the squabbles.

“I feared the goal was never going to come, although I think we deserved it after theycameuphere to bully us and kick us. There is no place in the game for that. It was a disgrace.”

Vale were reduced to 10 men in the 36th minute when Young was sent off for usinganelbowandKerr was quick to follow after two rash challenges produced two bookings.

As expected Brora dominated the second half but they found theVale defence a tough nut to crack.

Mackay came close to an opener in the 76th minute when his effort rebounded off the inside of the post but he was not to be denied. In stoppage- time the ball broke to him 12 yards out and he lashed the ball high into the net.

By the final whistle Vale had lost two more players, along with their manager as their resistance finally broke. Vale manager McAleavy said: “We deserved a draw, it was very cruel not getting them back to our own ground.”