The Gable Endies can have no complaints about the result, but after a slow start and conceding an early goal, they came back well and played some good football of their own against one of the countries top sides who beat Celtic at Parkhead ten days before.

They even managed to get on the scoresheet themselves with a cracking drive from Chris Hegarty – a goal they thoroughly deserved.

Hibernian, sitting third in the Premier League were a slick outfit who passed the ball around at ease on a poor pitch.

They certainly could have added more to their tally if it hadn't been for the excellent display in goal from ex-Hibernian keeper Andy McNeil.

The result certainly banished memories of the 9-0 defeat in the League Cup in 2003.

With their cup exploits behind them, Montrose can now concentrate on picking up league points to get them off the bottom of the table.

For the Gable Endies first appearance in the last sixteen for fourteen years, manager Steven Tweed made two changes from the side that beat Berwick Rangers the previous week. Out went Aaron Sinclair and the cup tied Paul Tosh and into the side came Sean Fleming and John Maitland.

The Gable Endies lined up in an attacking formation with McNeil in goal, McNally and Fleming in the full back positions and Crighton and Campbell in central defence.

Davidson moved to a wide left position with Milligan down the right. This allowed Hegarty and Maitland to play in central midfield with Nicholas and Gemmell up front.

On the bench were keeper Steven Coutts, Daryl Nicol, Aaron Sinclair, Marek Tomana and Martin Boyle who had been capped for Scotland Schoolboys earlier in the week against Australia.

There was a noisy Montrose support of over 500 in the away end.

Montrose got the match underway in damp and overcast conditions in the capital out to erase the memories of their last trip there in 2003.

Montrose had a chance to open the scoring in the third minute when Nicholas got clear inside the box and squared to the unmarked Davidson who couldn't believe his luck but somehow managed to fluff his kick and the chance was gone. Seconds later a strong run from Rankin saw him find Liam Miller whose shot was blocked by McNeil.

In the fourth minute it was Hibernian who opened the scoring. Anthony Stokes went on a mazy run, McNeil did well to push away his low effort but Colin Nish followed up to fire the rebound into the roof of the net.

A minute later Derek Riordan sent in a curling effort, which McNeil tipped over the crossbar.

Montrose suffered a blow in the 8th minute when John Maitland appeared to pull a hamstring and Marek Tomana came on in his place in central midfield.

With 13 minutes gone a Riordan cross was met by the head of Stokes inside the box but he flicked the ball over the crossbar.

Two minutes later Montrose won a free kick when Chris Hogg held back Gemmell. When Hegarty swung the free kick into the area, Gemmell appeared to be pulled back but referee Alan Muir waved play on.

The home side almost made it two in the 22nd minute Stokes slipped the ball back to Colin Nish after a mazy run but the goalscorer curled an effort just wide of the far post.

Montrose found themselves two goals down in the 24th minute. A quick free kick from Murray sent Rankin away down the left and his driven cross was met by Nish who bundled home his second goal of the match.

From the centre Chris Hegarty took a shot which almost caught out keeper Graeme Smith but he managed to grab the ball.

Montrose came so close to pulling a goal back in the 27th minute. McNally took a free kic from the touchline, Crighton headed the ball on and as the home defence stood still John Gemmell just couldn't supply the touch to put the ball beyond keeper Smith.

A mazy run from Nicholas was ended when he was pushed over by a home defender 25 yards out. Gemmell took the free kick and Smith pulled off an excellent stop to deny Montrose.

With 37 minutes gone Stokes got in a shot but McNeil was once again equal to the task.

The second half got underway with Montrose shooting towards their fans in the lower tier of the main stand and they immediately won a corner kick through Fraser Milligan. Hegarty took the kick, which was cleared by the home defence.

Montrose created a good opening in the 50th minute after Gemmell was once again fouled by Chris Hogg. Milligan and Nicholas linked up from the free kick before the latter found Hegarty but his effort went well over the crossbar.

A minute later and the Gable Endies played out another good move down the right. A McNally pass found Davidson sprinting down the right but with only one home defender and Gemmell in the middle, the Montrose man just couldn't get to the ball first.

With 54 minutes gone Montrose continued to put a little more pressure on the Hibs defence. This time captain Davidson and McNally linked up and when `Scoobs` picked up the ball at the edge of the box he could only blast well over Smith's crossbar.

In the 62nd minute Marek Tomana got in a shot, which hit a Hibernian defender, and when the ball came back out Gemmell just couldn't get in a shot.

Seconds later Sean Fleming was booked for kicking the ball away after a free kick was given against him. It was to be his last involvement in the match as he was replaced by Aaron Sinclair.

In 67 minutes Montrose had another good opportunity to score. McNally raced down the right, nutmegged his opponent and found Nicholas inside the area. Nicholas had two bites at the cherry but he couldn't find his way past Smith. Hegarty's corner found Campbell who headed straight at Smith.

McNeil pulled off a wonderful double save in the 68th minute to keep Montrose in the tie. He firstly did brilliantly to save from substitute Zemmama and when the ball spun across the goal-line Nish looked certain to score a tap in but the Montrose number one appeared from nowhere and from point blank range he kept out the effort.

The third Hibernian goal arrived in the 69th minute and what a strike it was. Derek Riordan raced through the heart of the Montrose defence and with nobody putting in a tackle he let fly from 25 yards out and the ball flew past McNeil.

Hibs should have had a fourth goal in the 71st minute when right back Wotherspoon burst through. McNeil saved his first effort only for the youngster to blast the second over the crossbar.

Montrose's moment of glory arrived in the 73rd minute when they pulled a goal back. Tomana took a quick free kick, which found Davidson on the edge of the area. He turned the ball back into the path of Chris Hegarty who from 22 yards out blasted a low effort into the corner of the net.

Hegarty immediately raced towards the Montrose support over the advertising boards and in beside the fans to celebrate a sweet strike. When he returned to the field of play he picked up a booking.

With 15 minutes remaining Sean Crighton became the third Montrose player to be booked for a late tackle on Rankin.

In the 77th minute Hibernian scored a fourth goal and it was made and finished in Morocco. Zemmama crossed from the right and his fellow substitute Abdessalam Benjelloun rose above the Montrose defence to head into the net.

With five minutes remaining Montrose manager Steven Tweed made his third switch of the afternoon sending on 16-year-old Martin Boyle for his debut in place of Steven Nicholas. The youngster was wearing the Montrose shirt with his age on the back!

With time running out Hibernian scored a fifth goal with Montrose tiring fast. Alan Gow picked the ball up on the left and skipped past a couple of challenges before knocking the ball past man of the match Andy McNeil.

When referee Alan Muir sounded the final whistle The Montrose players grabbed whatever Hibs jersey they could and then went across to applaud their very vocal support who had given them encouragement throughout the match.

There were no failures in the Montrose side with McNeil, Crighton, Tomama and Nicholas the standouts.

Montrose: McNeil 9, Milligan 7, McNally 7, Hegarty 8, Campbell 7, Crighton 8, Maitland 2 (Tomana), Davidson 7, Nicholas 8 (Boyle), Gemmell 7, Fleming 6 (Sinclair). Subs: Nicol, Coutts.