Fraserburgh did themselves and the Breedon Highland League proud as they were edged out 2-0 by Arbroath in the Scottish Cup.
The Broch held their own against Championship opposition in the third round tie at Bellslea with plenty of impressive performances throughout their side.
But it’s the Red Lichties who take their place in Monday’s fourth round draw courtesy of a brace from Bobby Linn.
The first was contentious with the hosts claiming offside, while the second came a minute from time on the counter-attack.
Fraserburgh made one change to the side which defeated Buckie Thistle last weekend. Jamie Beagrie was offshore and Ryan Sargent took his place.
Meanwhile, Arbroath fielded recognisable names like Scott Allan and Bobby Linn in their line-up with former Inverurie Locos striker Kieran Shanks on the bench.
Broch start well
The visitors won the toss and made the hosts play down the slope with the wind at their backs and it was the Broch who created the first opening in the fourth minute.
Scott Barbour crossed from the right flank, but Sean Butcher shot wide at the front post.
In the eighth minute the Buchan side came even closer. Willie West’s ball down the left channel wasn’t dealt with by Ricky Little and Thomas O’Brien.
Barbour latched onto the loose ball and although his shot from a narrow angle beat goalkeeper Derek Gaston, Little got back to slide in and turn it against the right post before Lewis Davidson’s attempt on the rebound was blocked.
Fraserburgh continued to be on the front foot with Barbour stinging the palms of Gaston with a strike from the left side of the area.
After their bright start the Highland League side were hit by a 17th minute sucker-punch from Arbroath.
Michael McKenna knocked the ball down for Allan and he released Linn in behind with the veteran attacker finishing low beyond Joe Barbour.
The home players and supporters appealed vociferously for offside and their claims appeared to be justified, but referee Calum Scott and assistant Douglas Ross were adamant Linn was onside.
Referee Scott wasn’t endearing himself to Fraserburgh and it was easy to see why.
Little and O’Brien’s attempts to deal with Scott Barbour were more akin to rugby but no sanction was forthcoming, while a perfectly-timed Butcher challenge on Allan was strangely penalised.
The officials again frustrated the Broch in the 26th minute when Sargent blocked Little’s attempted clearance and Barbour fired home the loose ball, but assistant Elliott Husband-Powton flagged for offside.
Aside from their goal and a couple of corners Arbroath offered very little in attack in the first period with Fraserburgh unfortunate to be trailing at the interval.
Hosts look for comeback
In the second half it was always going to be trickier for the Broch playing into a strengthening wind.
They should have fallen two behind after 52 minutes when a touch of class from Allan released Linn in behind, but he shot wide.
Shortly after Linn laid off for McKenna on the edge of the area, but he lifted his shot over.
When they were able to get Scott Barbour and Butcher in the game Fraserburgh still looked a threat and neat combination play between the two almost created an opening for Sargent.
With 20 minutes remaining Mark Cowie replaced Sargent and Davidson with Paul Campbell and Logan Watt in a bid to find an equaliser.
The tie was still very much in the balance which was testament to Fraserburgh’s work-rate and determination.
In the closing stages the Broch threw centre-back Kieran Simpson up front and continued to put pressure on the Arbroath back line.
With three minutes remaining Barbour and combined to create an opportunity for sub Connor Wood, but after outmuscling Little his shot on the turn from 12 yards was straight at Gaston.
But in the 89th minute Arbroath sealed their place in round four when Linn broke away down the right flank away before slotting his second past Joe Barbour from the right side of the area.
