Gavin Reilly netted his ninth goal of the season as Queen of the South advanced into the Scottish Cup fifth round against a gallant Brora side who more than held their own for over an hour in a fine cup-tie.
Derek Lyle found the net for the sixth time this term before Reilly doubled the home side's lead.
Andrew Greig's curling shot from the edge of the penalty area halved the deficit only for Iain Russell to score the third six minutes later as the Championship side turned on the heat in the final quarter.
Lewis Kidd ensured his side's passage into the next round late on as Queens tore the Higlanders apart and could have added to their tally but for some fine stops by the Brora keeper.
The Brora side can take great credit from a match they eventually ran out of steam in the latter stages. Again the Queen's back four formed the basis for victory with Durnan outstanding and a fine match from stand in goalie Atkinson.
Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6)
Queen of the South
- 20 Atkinson
- 04 Dowie
- 05 Durnan
- 06 Higgins
- 03 Holt
- 17 Carmichael (Kidd - 60' )
- 18 McShane
- 08 Kerr
- 11 Russell
- 10 Reilly (Baird - 70' )
- 19 Lyle (Pickard - 86' )
Substitutes
- 09 Baird
- 12 Kidd
- 16 Dzierzawski
- 22 Hooper
- 26 Fowler
- 28 Pickard
- 31 Arthur
Brora Rangers
- 01 Malin
- 05 Ross
- 02 Houston
- 08 Gillespie
- 03 Williamson (Kettlewell - 45' )
- 19 Graham (Maclean - 85' )
- 07 MacLean
- 06 Morrison
- 11 Greig (MacLean - 88' )
- 09 Sutherland
- 10 Mackay
Substitutes
- 12 Munro
- 14 Kettlewell
- 15 MacLean
- 16 Maclean
- 21 Allan
