Dundee 2
Brora Rangers 1
Scottish Cup (3rd Round)

Match Report

Highlander lain MacDonald is dropped from Dundee's Cup side following his disappointing performance at Kilmarnock last week.

Brian Scrimgeour is also left out. Their places are taken by George McGeachie and Stuart McKimmie.

With only 13 fit players, Brora have only to decide which two are substitutes.

Dundee's first move is halted because two players are offside.

Their next produces a shot by Bell which goes over.

McKimmie steps in to intercept a pass and sends Sinclair racing down the left. His cross is sent for a corner by Norris.

'Keeper Sutter looks brave and confident when he clutches a Ferguson cross from Sinclair's head.

He is alert to the danger of a wind-assisted through ball and beats Fraser for possession.

Kelly has to push a Brian MacAskill corner round the far post when the Highlanders break.

Kelly punches out another of Brian MacAskill's corner kicks and the ball goes to Gair and the 'keeper, yards from his goal, grabs the midfield man's powerful shot from 20 yards.

Fraser sets up another Dundee move and when Fer- guson's cross is sent back in front of the goal by Stephen, McKimmie shoots wide from 12 yards.

The Dundee left-back next hit a fine shot from 35 yards which Sutter pushes over. Norris heads a Glennie cross for a corner when there is little danger.

Smith takes over the role of winger to deliver a cross which is headed to safety by Mulholland.

A ball from Ferguson is almost beyond Sinclair's reach, but he manages to touch it against the 'keeper and it bounces just wide of the post.

The opening goal comes at last in 35 minutes and is one of utmost simplicity.

Mackie tees up the ball to cross perfectly from the left and FERGUSON has a simple task to head it into the net at the near post.

In 41 minutes the Brora fans go wild when their team equalises. Glennie has all the time in the world to pick up a through-ball, but misses it and MAXWELL races unchallenged to crack rising shot into the net.

Sutter makes a good save from McKimmie.

Half-time Dundee 1, Brora 1.

Reflections There is little Cup excitement in this clash or there wasn't until Brora scored. Now there is a prospect of a battle.

McGeachie concedes a corner to keep a Jackson cross out of the danger area. When Dundee move into attack a Ferguson shot veers wide.

The Dundee defence sometimes look far from composed and when they fail to clear Jackson hammers a shot straight at Kelly. Fraser has a big hand in the creation of another good chance which ends with a Mackie shot flying over.

Brora's defenders are confidence and Sutter clutches a Mackie corner in good style and Ferguson is crowded out.

After 55 minutes Dundee send on Murphy for Mackie.

Dundee put the Highlanders under pressure. McKimmie and Stephen do well on the left and the cross provides a great chance for Sinclair, who fails to connect.

Murphy fires a good shot which Sutter saves well.

Brora send in Allan for Norris and battle on without showing signs of panic. Another good Dundee move makes a chance for Fraser who mishits his shot. and then a Fraser cross finds no takers.

Any signs of strain are in the Dundee defence as the Highland fans sing happily A Glennie passback is woefully weak and Kelly has to race from his penalty area to kick clear.

The Brora right-back Mulholland has the confidence to join his attack. He hammers one shot against Smith and sends another just past.

Brora substitute Dunn for Brian MacAskill.

McKimmie's shot hits the post and rebounds to Bell whose first shot is blocked by Sutter. The Dundee man has a second try which is held by the keeper.

Another chance disappears when Ferguson heads wide from three yards. The tension is tremendous. Fraser is limping badly.

With a minute left relief, comes to Dundee at last. Stephen heads across goa and SINCLAIR bends low to head in at the post.

Match report written by The Sporting Post