Ross County thrashed Montrose 6-0 at Links Park to move a step closer to the second round of the Betfred Cup.
The Staggies, who beat Alloa on Saturday, were in control from the first minute to the last at Links Park and Michael Gardyne and Andrew Davies had chances to give Jim McIntyre’s side an early lead but a combination of poor finishing and Montrose goalkeeper Jordan Millar kept County from scoring.
But the pressure was relentless and the Gable Endies capitulated in the 15th minute when Thomas Mikkelsen headed Ryan Dow’s cross past Millar to give the Premiership side a deserved lead.
It did not take the visitors long to add to their tally and when Andrew Davies was tripped in the box, Craig Curran made it 2-0 before the half hour mark from the penalty spot and the visitors put the game beyond the home side by adding a third through Michael Gardyne’s powerful drive.
The scoring did not end there, however, as Curran grabbed his second and his side’s fourth in first half injury time when he powered in a shot off the crossbar after Montrose had failed to clear Gardyne’s free kick.
It took just 10 minutes of the second half for County to extend their lead with Mikkelsen grabbing his second of the game when he fired past Millar after collecting Dow’s pass.
The Staggies were in no mood to ease off, however, and substitute Alex Schalk came off the bench to make an immediate impact by firing home the sixth before the hour mark.