DAVIE KIRKWOOD, the Brora Rangers manager, has praised his board for laying on an overnight stay to break up their mammoth 300-mile trip to Queen of the South.

The ambitious Highland League leaders have high hopes of causing an upset in tomorrow's William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round tie and will depart for Dumfries today to ensure the players are not left drained by a journey that is expected to take a total of six hours.

"The boys can relax at night, have a lie-in in the morning and then we'll have a pre-match meal at the hotel before driving to Dumfries," he said.

"The club have dug deep and fair play to them. The players deserve it but so does the club."