Malonga's the difference
Ross County's miserable start to the season continued when they were bundled out of the Scottish League Cup by a Hibernian side inspired by forward Dominique Malonga.
The Frenchman netted with two close-range headers in the first half to send the Hibees through to the last eight of the competition, 2-0.
It means County are still seeking their first success of the season.
County started brightly and Rocco Quinn and Melvin De Leeuw both had shots deflected behind for corners in the first few minutes.
The visitors' first effort on goal came in the eighth minute when Malonga dinked past a couple of defenders on the edge of the 18-yard box - but his shot dipped just over.
Hibs were mostly on the back foot but, nevertheless, they went ahead in the 22nd minute when a deep cross from Liam Craig was met by Malonga on the six-yard line - and his header flew past Mark Brown.
County should have been level a minute later when Joe Cardle sent Yoann Arquin through on goal but the County forward screwed his shot wide of the far post.
Graham Carey sent a dangerous ball into the heart of the Hibs' box but Jackson Irvine's glancing header floated wide of the upright.
County continued to press and Arquin missed another great chance when he raced onto a long clearance but dallied too long in front of goal and the chance was lost.
Hibernian took full advantage of that miss when they doubled the lead in the 36th minute when another cross from the left, this time by Lewis Stevenson, was met once again by Malonga - who made no mistake with a bullet header.
The visitors were playing with confidence now and Dylan McGeouch let fly with a low effort which Brown did well to smother.
County made an early change when Richard Brittain replaced Jim Fenlon.
The County goal survived an early scare at the start of the second half when a David Gray cross was scooped onto the near post by Jason Cummings.
Arquin came close with a low drive which Hibernian goalkeeper Mark Oxley blocked with his body, as the visitors sat back and let County come at them in the final quarter.
Hibernian were reduced to 10 men in the 82nd minute when McGeouch lunged into Cardle on the near touchline.
Referee Stephen Finnie had not hesitation in flashing a red card at the Hibs' player - but the visitors held on to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Source: PA
