MATCH REPORT: Kilmarnock 4 Brora Rangers 0
Brora Rangers Cup dream ended at Kilmarnock
Brora Rangers' dream run in the William Hill Scottish Cup ended in the fifth round after going down 4-0 to Kilmarnock.
The Highland League side had already broken their own club record and surpassed expectations in getting this far, but it proved a game too many as they toiled against Ladbrokes Premiership opposition.
If they had won at Rugby Park, it would have been the first time a team from non-league had reached the quarter-finals since 1968, but goals from Aaron Tshibola - on his full debut - Kris Boyd, Eamonn Brophy and Stephen O'Donnell saw their remarkable run come to an end.
Following notable wins over Stranraer and East Fife in previous rounds, Killie boss Steve Clarke demanded his side show respect to their opponents and he got his wish in a cagey opening.
Only winger Jordan Jones showed any enterprise, but he came in for rough treatment by the visitors as his pace and trickery proved too much, and a fine run almost brought about the opener only for Gary Dicker to hit well over.
The Cattachs continued to put themselves about, and their physical approach at least upset the rhythm of the hosts who struggled to carve any clear openings, but they offered little in the attacking third themselves.
There was little to separate the two sides until another bit of Jones magic freed up Greg Kiltie inside the area and the forward - making his first start of the season - danced into the area before sliding the ball across the six-yard box for Tshibola to tap into an empty net at the back post.
It was the first goal Brora had conceded in their brilliant cup run, but it was no less than Killie deserved in a first half where they were in total control.
The lead was doubled just before the hour as Dicker stepped in to intercept a pass on halfway and fed Boyd, and the big striker had enough pace to charge into an empty half and confidently slot home his 14th of the season.
That signalled an end to the tie as a contest and Clarke was able to rotate his key players as the superior fitness of Killie told in the final quarter.
Brophy, after being denied by a brilliant Joe Malin save, drilled in from 20 yards before O'Donnell rubbed salt into the wounds for the travelling 413 Brora fans with a low effort from the corner of the box to wrap up the win for Killie and put them into the last 16.