I watched my promotion dream die while I stood with rival fans after red card but missing out this time is even worse

Brora’s Mackay fears he will be shut out of SPFL a second time

- MICHAEL GANNON

STEVEN MACKAY is still haunted by being forced to watch Brora Rangers’ promotion dream turn nightmare while standing among opposition fans.

Five years on a repeat would be even tougher to take as he faces the torture of his team’s fate resting in the hands of SPFL chairmen.

Mackay still carries the burden of May 16, 2015, when he copped a second yellow card with Brora less than 45 minutes from League Two.

Montrose struck twice to save their SPFL skins as he suffered the “longest half an hour of my life” in the stands.

The Highland champions will not get the chance of starring in another play-off final after the coronavirus put paid to their semi-final with Lowland League winners Kelty Hearts.

Talk of reconstruction has opened up the possibility of both going up. Not if League Two clubs have their way, mind you, as they’ve made a plenty of noise against it.

Now player-manager, Mackay has been left on the sidelines again and it has stirred up painful memories.