Brora Rangers manager Ross Tokely insists the Cattachs will cherish the memories of their excellent Scottish Cup run following their 4-0 fifth round defeat at Kilmarnock on Saturday.
The Sutherland outfit were defeated despite a brave showing against the Premiership outfit, backed by 413 supporters who made the long journey to Ayrshire.
Brora had already upset the odds twice this term by knocking out League 1 sides Stranraer and East Fife in the previous rounds, and Tokely is proud to have reached the last 16 of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.
He said: “It has earned us a bit of money. Seriously, when we beat the League 1 sides we got a bit of confidence but we were massive underdogs coming to Kilmarnock.
“Now I hope we can kick on in our season and finish strongly.
“The fans have been to Stranraer and East Fife and they are so passionate – I don’t know who switched the lights off in Brora.
“It is great to get them here and it is a tremendous effort from them and that’s why we went to thank them at the end.
“We have a lot of good memories from this run. It has been a great journey.”
Brora held firm until Killie’s on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Aaron Tshibola’s goal three minutes before half time broke the deadlock.
Second-half goals from Killie attackers Kris Boyd and Eamonn Brophy as well as defender Stephen O’Donnell sealed the Premiership side’s progression to the quarter-finals.
Tokely was frustrated with the timing of the home side’s opener but hailed the efforts of his players.
He added: “I am very proud of the boys but I am disappointed to lose four goals.
“I didn’t think it was a 4-0 game and if we had kept it 0-0 until half time it could have been different.
“They scored a good goal just before the break and we were a little bit deflated.
“We maybe didn’t create as much as I would have liked but we were competitive.
“We were sticking to the game plan and we were frustrating them and Joe Malin didn’t have a save to make.
“I was watching the clock and about 36 minutes we dropped off a wee bit and they scored at a good time and got a lift.
“The second goal is a bit sloppy but I can’t fault the lads because to a man they were terrific.
“I just wish I could have put all the subs on. We will learn from playing against Kilmarnock.”