MORTON eased into the second round of the Scottish Communities League Cup with a 5-1 victory over East Stirlingshire yesterday.

Allan Moore's side went into the Ochilview clash as strong favourites and showed the gulf in class with a comfortable triumph over their Irn-Bru Third Division rivals.

Defender Mark McLaughlin netted his first Ton goal after just three minutes and when Peter Weatherson doubled the visitors' advantage soon after, the Cappielow club were well on their way to a second round berth.

Michael Herd gave Shire a glimmer of hope but Stephen Stirling added a third for Morton just after the half-hour mark before Tony Wallace and Michael Tidser completed the scoring for Moore's men.

Meanwhile, Billy Reid hailed returning Accies star Jon Routledge as he helped see off Annan Athletic 2-0 on Saturday.

The midfielder has penned a deal at New Douglas Park after being told he had no future at English side Stockport County and made an immediate impression back in Lanarkshire, turning in a man-of-the-match winning performance and as he joined new signing Darian MacKinnon on the scoresheet.

And Reid was delighted with the showing of his latest summer signing against the Division side.

He said: "He is everything I want in a player. He can pass, has a bit of dig and he took his goal really well."