"We woz robbed" is  a pretty accurate summary of the encounter, if you were of the Buckie persuasion, that is, but even the Morton directors agreed that plucky Buckie deserved at least a draw, after recovering from a 2-0 deficit to completely dominate their more illustrious opponents for the final 10 of the first half and virtually all of the second.

Manager, Duncan Shearer was fulsome in praise of his squad, who performed heroics, after a shaky start, which saw the full-timers use the advantage of a swirling breeze, accompanied with driving rain in the opening spell, commenting " I am more than proud of my players, having outplayed their much fancied hosts for long spells, but in the end, it's goals that count and they are in the next round."

He continued "They gave a great performance this afternoon, all I could have expected, but we didn't get the breaks we deserved, although I think the big, noisy support which followed us down will have been pleased that their side gave a great account of themselves, despite the disappointment at losing an injury time, killer goal."

The home side pressed on from the start, driving forward at every opportunity and Kev Main was grateful to see McAnespie's left foot shot flash wide of goal in the 8^th minute, as his defence struggled to cope with the awkward conditions and the pacy Morton forward line.

Although they at times were unable to find their forwards with the final, telling pass, Thistle appeared to have weathered the storm as the midpoint of the first half approached, but a ball dinked into the path of IAN RUSSELL found the striker one on one with Main, who was unable to block his low shot and the ball found its way into the net.

A minute later, when a Jags attack foundered, SCOTT McLAUGHLIN found space, some 25 yards from goal and his rising shot gave Main no chance, to double the Tons' lead, but to their credit, Thistle didn't crumble and took the game to their hosts at every opportunity.

Their endeavour paid off in 45 minutes, when, after forcing a series of corners, the Jags pulled one back, courtesy of a crisp dive from 30 yards by many peoples' man of the match, DAVID MACRAE, who latched onto a loose ball in centrefield, before beating two players and cracking it home, to the delight of the noisy Buckie support.

Thistle continued their fightback and had Morton reeling, but a break by ‘Ton in 62 minutes saw Main pull off a superb double stop to deny Russell and Stuart Greacan, reminding the Jags players that they still needed to keep the back door locked.

With 20 minutes remaining, GREAME "SPIDER" STEWART had the travelling army in raptures, when he struck home a 12 yarder. Following a corner from the right and it looked promising, but try as they might, Thistle just couldn't find the winner that their adventurous play deserved.

With regulation time over, it seemed certain that the Jags would record a historic draw against a side some 25 places or so above them in the national league, but their efforts were in vain as a cross from the right was, for once, not cut out, allowing CHRIS TEMPLEMAN to ghost in at the back post and send a rising angled shot in, silencing the already celebrating Thistle fans.

All in all, a great display and recovery from adversity by the Highland League leaders, who gained more than a measure of respect in the central belt for a gritty, gutsy display.

Morton teamline: McGurn, Finlayson, Walker, Harding, Greacan, Millar, McAnespie(Gardyne55), Weatherspoon, Russell(Templeman75), McAlister. Not used Graham, Keenan, Robinson(gk).

Buckie Thistle lineup: Main, Shewan, Duncan, MacKinnon, Matheson(N Davidson 79), Small, Neill(Mcdonald71), Macrae, Bruce(Low80), MacMillan, Stewart. Not used: Edmond, Strong(GK).

Referee Mr S Finnie.