BRORA RANGERS last night pulled off one of the most remarkable shocks in Scottish Cup history by sending Hearts crashing out.
The ring-rusty Highlanders had played just one match in 2021 and just 10 competitively since the pandemic began, but the part-time heroes showed incredible energy, fitness and defiance to hold out.
When a stunning Jordan Macrae opener early on was eventually wiped out by Christophe Berra after 74 minutes, the Edinburgh giants should have finished the job.
Instead Martin MacLean sent the Highland League champions back ahead with a fantastic controlled finish watched by a small crowd of disbelieving locals lining raised ground outside Dudgeon Park.
An ominous rainstorm greeted the Championship leaders to the exposed Sutherland ground, but the pre-match downpour gave way to clear skies in breezy conditions.
Hearts were somewhat depleted, but the big news came in the shape of John Souttar’s return to the bench after a 13-month absence with an achilles injury.
Goalkeeper Craig Gordon was on Scotland international duty, while Michael Smith - suspended anyway - was with Northern Ireland.
Andy Halliday was also serving a ban while a lengthy injury list featured Steven Naismith and Stephen Kingsley.
Liam Boyce, excused international duty after a new family addition, took his place on the bench.
Manager Robbie Neilson reacted by restoring Aidan White, Peter Haring and Christophe Berra, while there was a homecoming of sorts for Caithnessian Gary Mackay-Steven.
Brora were able to pick the same team as saw off Camelon Juniors in the first round in mid-January.
Hearts, with six changes in all from Saturday’s scoreless draw at Arbroath, opened at good tempo, with Mackay-Steven soon a threat.
But completely against the run of play, Brora opened from their first attack after 11 minutes.
It was a stunning moment from Jordan Macrae, taking a pass from namesake Andy and rocketing a 22-yard strike into the top right corner of the net.
With Brora hitting on the break, the goalscorer sniffed another terrific chance inside 23 minutes but saw his attempt deflect for a corner.
Hearts, for all their possession, weren’t seriously troubling the Highland champions.
Mackay-Steven’s good work on the left set up Aaron McEneff for an attempt saved down low by home keeper Joe Malin, while Armand Gnanduillet nodded wastefully off-target from the same supplier on the half hour.
The brilliant Malin had another strong save to make on half-time when he parried a powerful McEneff blast.
Liam Boyce replaced anonymous Gervane Kastaneer at the break, with Brora pinned back and under siege into the second half.
Jamie Walker wasted a golden opportunity for Hearts when he blazed over the bar just before the hour, after Boyce slipped Gnanduillet through for a pass cut across goal.
By the time ex-Ross County keeper Joe Malin made a stunning block from Christophe Berra header, tiring Brora were throwing bodies in front of everything fired their way.
The Hearts equaliser was scrappy when it came. From a corner; Walker headed back across the box and Berra steered a close-range volley beyond the keeper.
Brora’s Bjorn Wagenaar thrashed a free-kick just over in retaliation to show the spirited Highlanders - and they restored the lead after 74 minutes.
Martin MacLean showed incredible cool to place a half-volleyed finish high into the net from tight angle after keeper Ross Stewart failed to deal with a Wagenaar free-kick flashed across the box.
It was nerve-shredding for the hosts, but the small group of officials and fans outside the ground erupted in joy after three minutes stoppage time.
Brora Rangers (4-4-1-1): Malin 9; Gamble 7 (Morrison 65), Nicolson 7, Williamson 7, A. Macdonald 7; Kelly 7, MacLean 8, Gillespie 7, Wagenaar 7 (G. MacDonald 82, 5); A. Macrae 7 (Brindle 65, 6); J. MacRae 8. Subs: G Macdonald, Stephen.
Booked: Kelly, A. MacDonald
Hearts (4-3-3): Stewart 6; Halkett 6, Berra 5, Haring 5, White 6; Walker 6, McEneff 5 (Henderson 58, 5), Irving 6; Kastaneer 4 (Boyce 46, 6), Gnanduillet 5, Mackay-Steven 7. Subs: Zlamal, Souttar, Frear, Popescu, Henderson, Mcgill.
Booked: Irving, Mackay-Steven
Referee: Peter Stuart
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