Hibernian 5-0 Ayr United

Anthony Stokes signed for Hibs this summer after leaving Blackburn Rovers

Anthony Stokes inspired Hibernian to a League Cup hammering of League One Ayr United on his first start since rejoining the club.

The Republic of Ireland forward nodded the opener then turned provider for Simon Murray to grab the second.

Stokes doubled his tally after the break with a clever finish before Efe Ambrose tapped in the fourth.

Lithuanian striker Deivydas Matulevicius came off the bench to notch the fifth for the dominant hosts.

Having lost at home to Ayr last season when both sides were in the Championship, top-flight Hibs were eager to get ahead and Stokes duly provided.

Danny Swanson delivered and Stokes was afforded too much space as he headed past Jordan Hart.

Murray doubled the hosts' advantage when he latched on to Stokes' pass and finished with composure.

Stokes came close with two further efforts but did net again after the interval, meeting Murray's cross and firing past Hart from a tight angle.

The fourth came when Ambrose reacted quickest to nudge an effort over the line after John McGinn's corner had left the Honest Men's defence exposed.

Matulevicius came on for Dylan McGeouch and soon made an impact. The Lithuanian striker's maiden goal for Hibs came with the aid of a deflection as he rounded off the scoring for the night.