Colin Williamson was the Brora Rangers hero at New Bayview as the Highlanders bagged another League 1 scalp to reach the last 16 of the William Hill Scottish Cup and a plum tie at Premiership Kilmarnock.
Williamson scored, blocked what looked like a certain equaliser and was at the heart of a Cattachs defence that was under pressure in the second half before having to go off with a head knock.
But Brora held on for another famous victory and manager Ross Tokely said: “We have made history and that is terrific. It means a lot to everyone at the club and to the chairman as we could make a bit of money.
“For a part-time team in the Highland League it is a special result and being in the last 16 is great.
“It will take a while to sink in, although the boys were really enjoying themselves in the changing room afterwards. We were a bit lucky in the second half as they had chances but you sometimes have to sit in during Scottish Cup games and that is what we did.”
Brora were the better side in the opening exchanges on the artificial surface and looked set to score on 10 minutes when Scott Graham fired past home goalkeeper Ryan Goodfellow only for Jonathan Page to pop up on the line to clear.
The noisy travelling supporters did not have long to wait to cheer a goal as just two minutes later Gavin Morrison sent over a corner from the left and Williamson arrived bang on time to meet it and head powerfully home from six yards. Graham went close to adding a second with a flashing header before the hosts finally realised they had a game on their hands with half-an-hour gone. They started to push Brora back and 10 minutes from half-time Williamson charged down a well-struck Chris Duggan drive that looked goal-bound. In the second half Pat Slattery sent a great chance for an equaliser over the bar before a lightning break from Brora gave Morrison a glimpse of goal but his effort flashed wide.
East Fife were given a helping hand to get back into the game midway through the second half when Steven Mackay was yards short with a pass to goalkeeper Joe Malin and Duggan pounced.
With everyone expecting the net to bulge, Duggan slipped the ball past the post. When Kevin Smith then rattled a post with a free kick, Brora grew in belief that it was going to be their day.
Williamson had to be helped off with a head injury with eight minutes left.
But Brora were not threatened again until injury time when Page met a Craig Thomson cross with a header which bounced into the turf before drifting wide.
Tokely added: “The players were challenged but they hung on and put in a tremendous amount of work. I am very proud of them and they should be proud of their performance.
“I have beaten Celtic as player in the cup and this is certainly up there with that. I was kicking every ball on the sidelines so it is a different kind of enjoyment.”
