Annan’s cup hopes dashed by Morton

A Stefan McCluskey hat-trick ensured that Jim Chapman’s side could not redeem their giant-killing status  after they knocked Hamilton Accies out in the fourth round last month.
The fifth round told a very different story — as a dominant Greenock Morton never looked in doubt and cruised through 90 rain-soaked minutes.
And it took just over 20 minutes for Morton to open the scoring, as McCluskey smashed his first goal of the game in to the roof of the net, after Denny Johnstone’s cross was defended poorly.
Despite barely testing keeper Derek Gaston, Annan looked set to go into the break just one goal down, but some clever footwork and a powerful finish from midfielder Joe McKee in the dying seconds of the first half doubled the visitors lead.
The second half started slightly brighter as Rabin Omar found space, but his effort flashed wide of the mark.
And before long Morton made it three when Bobby Barr rolled the ball to McCluskey to pass home his second of the day.
McCluskey ensured he would be taking the match ball home with him as he fired home Morton’s fourth from just inside the box — wrapping up a convincing win.
However, with 14 minutes remaining, the home support had something to cheer about as Matt Flynn flicked a neat header past Gaston, but it was too little too late.
Morton switched into cruise control and saw out the rest of the game to book their place in the quarter final.