Montrose manager Stuart Garden was bitterly disappointed with his side’s defending as the Gable Endies went down 2-1 to Fraserburgh to exit the William Hill Scottish Cup.
After Ross McCord had opened the scoring for Montrose eight minutes before half-time, the Highland League side drew level on 73 minutes through Graham Johnston, before Grant Noble won it for the hosts right at the death.
Garden felt Montrose’s defending for both goals was questionable from a side sitting fifth in League Two.
He said: “It is really disappointing to lose out having been ahead for so long. The goals we conceded were really poor.
“If you defend as we did for both of Fraserburgh’s goals, you are always going to be struggling to win cup ties.”
Montrose began the better of the sides, and early efforts from Scott Johnston and Garry Wood caused the Broch backline some bother.
However, the visitors deservedly went a goal ahead on 37 minutes, when the ball broke for Ross McCord to fire the ball home past Paul Leask.
The home side battled their way back into the game, and with 17 minutes left Peter Alexander Bruce found striker Graham Johnston to fire left-footed past keeper Stuart McKenzie.
Fraserburgh completed the turnaround in the dying moments. Bruce was again the supplier as he set up Grant Noble who curled a low shot into the corner of the net beyond McKenzie to send the home fans wild.