MORTON sealed their spot in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup with a thoroughly professional win at fourth-round shock troops Annan Athletic.

The League Two outfit pulled off a major upset by trouncing top-flight Hamilton Accies 4-1 at Galabank last month.

But they received a taste of their own medicine this afternoon as Jim Duffy’s well-drilled side won by an identical scoreline.

Forward Stefan McCluskey fired his side to victory with the second hat-trick of his Cappielow career, the other coming in a 4-0 home win over Stirling Albion in March 2015.

And he opened the scoring in emphatic style on 21 minutes, sweeping a firm finish into the roof of the net after Denny Johnstone’s low cross broke for him inside the box.

In a pivotal moment in the tie, Ton doubled their advantage two minute into first-half stoppage time when Joe McKee burst onto a Johnstone pass and rifled an unstoppable shot past Jordan Hart.

McCluskey put the match beyond doubt on 65 minutes, sidefooting between the sticks following fantastic and unselfish approach play by Bobby Barr.

And the 25-year-old claimed the matchball three minutes later with a fine 20-yard strike that flashed inside the left-hand post after taking a slight deflection.

Annan midfielder Matty Flynn pulled it back to 4-1 with a headed consolation on with just under quarter of an hour remaining.

But by then the Greenock men had long since booked their place in Monday’s draw for the final eight.

Morton (4-4-2): Gaston; Pepper, Kilday ©, O’Ware (Lamie, 87), Russell; Barr (Samuel, 89), McKee, Forbes, McCluskey (Tidser, 82); McManus, Johnstone.

Subs not used: Miller, Scullion, McGowan (gk).

Annan (4-4-2): Hart; Breslin (Jago, 39), Watson, Gilfillan, McNiff ©; Flynn, McStay (Guy, 54), Sloan (Osadolor, 54), Morton; Omar, Todd.

Subs not used: McColm, MacDonald, Norman, Currie (gk).

Booked: Morton (85).

Attendance: 756 Referee: John Beaton