Brora Rangers manager Steven Mackay’s pride in the Cattachs’ performance was tempered by a frustration of what could have been against Dundee.
The Highland League champions put in another valiant Betfred Cup display against full-time opposition following their 3-1 loss to Hibernian in midweek, however, their Championship opponents proved too strong at Dudgeon Park.
First half goals from Graham Dorrans and Danny Mullen allowed the Dark Blues to triumph, with Mackay disappointed his side were unable to capitalise on some enterprising attacking spells in their first home outing since March 7.
Mackay said: “It’s a strange one – we are proud but we’ve got a little bit of disappointment. I felt it was an opportunity to back up what we did on Wednesday night.
“It was always going to be tough. We were under no illusions that Dundee are one of the top sides in the Championship, and they will be looking to try and get promoted this season.
“We have high expectations for ourselves, rightly or wrongly. I’m not critical at all, I’m proud, but just a little disappointed we weren’t able to cause them more problems.”
Having gone on to give Hibs a fright after recovering from a nightmare start against the Premiership side at Easter Road, Brora looked in confident mood on their return to Dudgeon Park – which was witnessed by around 30 people who had gathered outside the ground on an embankment behind the goal.
The hosts threatened early when full-back Ally MacDonald put a menacing cross in from the left, which required a fine clearance behind goal by Jordon Forster.
The Cattachs’ hopes of an upset suffered an early blow, however, with the visitors taking the lead on 10 minutes. The ball broke to Dorrans on the edge of the box following Jordan Marshall’s surge down the left, with the midfielder’s strike deflecting off Colin Williamson to evade Joe Malin.
Dundee fielded their headline summer recruit Charlie Adam for the first time, with the former Scotland international twice threatening in pursuit of a second goal, firstly forcing Joe Malin to tip a free-kick wide before heading over from Jordan McGhee’s deep cross.
The Dark Blues were not to be denied on 26 minutes, with Max Anderson drifting in from the inside right channel before clipping the ball to the near post, where Mullen added a second with an acrobatic finish.
Similarly to the trip to Edinburgh, Brora showed a courageous response to the two-goal deficit, but a goal eluded them on this occasion.
Attacker Andy Macrae was once again impressive, with a shot from the edge of the box held comfortably by Jack Hamilton.
Macrae was provider for Brora’s best chance of the match on 38 minutes, with the former Caley Thistle youngster slipping the ball through for Greg Morrison to go one-on-one with Hamilton, who showed excellent reflexes to turn the forward’s shot behind.
Adam was once again foiled by Malin from a set-piece less than a minute after the interval, with another free-kick turned behind by the Cattachs goalkeeper.
Brora were eager not to go down without a fight with Martin Maclean forcing Hamilton to turn behind a long range effort, while Tom Kelly also saw a strike deflected.
Dundee could have made the scoreline more comfortable, but for the interventions of Malin, who did brilliantly to thwart teenager Anderson, with a follow up by Paul McGowan drifting wide of the post.
Dundee boss James McPake was nevertheless pleased with his afternoon’s work, and he said: “It was a professional performance, which was what it needed to be.”
