BRORA RANGERS 1
Gillespie (pen 27)
STRANRAER 3
Hilton (87), Yates (100), Orr (108)
Imposing centre back Ayrton Sonkur was hailed the goal hero across media outlets as Stranraer came from a goal down to slay giantkillers Brora Rangers but he revealed his celebrations were just an expression of relief.
“We got a bit of a break at the corner, which looked to go straight in, but I am not sure why I was being credited with it as I was nowhere near it. It was a lift and I thought from there our quality came through and we deserved the win in the end.”
While the majority of the build-up focused around the home team, it was Stranraer who should have taken an early lead.
They moved forward from the kick-off and won an early free kick 35 yards out. The ball ricocheted into the path of Daryl Duffy but from three yards out, in the centre of the goal, he managed to sky the ball well over the bar.
Brora’s first chance arrived on seven minutes, with Andrew Macrae racing through on goal from a central position. The former ICT youth opted to go round goalkeeper Greg Fleming but fell to the ground following a nudge.
In the 27th minute, Macrae was to go down in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. The chance had been created by a driving run from midfield by Gavin Morrison. He drew the defence towards him then slipped it to Macrae who was felled by a desperate lunge by Sonkur.
Dale Gillespie assumed responsibility from the penalty spot and calmly fired a low effort into the keeper’s bottom right hand corner to give the Cattachs the lead.
Early in the second half Thomas Orr had the ball in the net but the offside flag promptly halted his celebrations.
On the 74th minute Brora were awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Gillespie placed a low curling effort round the wall but Fleming flung himself to his left to touch it away.
Thirteen minutes later the League Two side got their leveller through a corner from Hilton.
Ten minutes into extra time they moved in front. Grant Gallagher’s cross from the right wing was met by Matt Yates and his volley was too strong for Malin to keep out.
The victory was sealed early in the second half when Orr emphatically slammed a 20-yarder into the top corner.