Despite taking the lead inside the opening minute thanks to a third goal in two games from Anthony Stokes, Hibernian crashed out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup this evening 3-1 to St Johnstone. Goals from Swankie, Millar and Morris saw the visitors comfortably through to the quarter finals, while for Hibernian it was a case of another missed opportunity in this competition.

John Hughes named an unchanged side for the first time since taking over as manager during the summer, and that meant no return to the starting line-up for Chris Hogg and Colin Nish who was available following his recent suspension. St Johnstone got the action underway beneath the Easter Road floodlights but it was the home side that started like a bolt of lightening. With less than a minute played McCormack cut inside from the right wing and fired a left-foot shot across goal that Main could only parry. The ball fell kindly to Anthony Stokes, who picked up where he left off on Saturday by producing a composed finish to put Hibernian in front.

St Johnstone responded almost immediately when a long ball forward was not dealt with by Bamba allowing Deuchar and Milne to combine and set up Swankie who did the rest in some style - unleashing a powerful right foot shot across Stack and into the far corner of the net. Hibernian were then fortunate not to fall behind on 10 minutes when Stack was guilty of holding on to possession for too long. His clearance was charged down by Milne but fortunately for the goalkeeper the ball went wide of target.

Two minutes later and a handball from Murray on the edge of the penalty box gave St Johnstone a free kick in a dangerous position. The resulting shot from Swankie struck the defensive wall as did Grainger's follow up before Davidson had a shot saved by Stack. St Johnstone kept up their pressure on the Hibernian goal and Stack had to be alert to prevent Milne from scoring with an ambitious overhead effort. The Goalkeeper was once again called into action not long after to punch clear from the head of Gartland after the St Johnstone defender lost his marker inside the penalty area.

The visitors continued to have by far the better scoring opportunities and Hibernian had goalkeeper Stacks to thank for keeping them on level terms with a superb double save on 29 minutes. There looked to be little on for striker Milne when the ball was played into his feet but he turned both Murray and Hanlon beautifully to create a shooting space for himself. Stack stood up well to the shot from Milne but the ball rebounded to Deuchar who looked set to score before the goalkeeper bravely threw himself towards the loose ball and produced a stunning block at the striker's feet.

Hibernian however had a golden opportunity on 31 minutes when they were awarded a controversial penalty kick after Miller went down inside the penalty area under a clumsy challenge from Gartland. Derek Riordan, who missed from the spot recently against Hamilton Academical, took the responsibility once more - but again he was left with his head in his hands after a stunning save from Alan Main.

Grainger picked up a deserved yellow card for a crunching challenge on McCormack shortly before half time, but Hibernian could do nothing with the resulting free kick as the first period ended all square. A disappointing first half from a Hibernian side who were outplayed for most of the 45 minutes by a spirited St Johnstone side who did not let their heads drop after conceding early.

Half Time: Hibernian 1 St Johnstone 1

Neither manager opted to make any changes at the interval and St Johnstone continued where they left off - they very nearly moved in front when Milne robbed Murray of possession inside the penalty area, his cross caught out Stack but was just out of reach of Craig who was arriving late at the back post. Anderson was the second player to be cautioned after the St Johnstone defender brought down Riordan as Hibernian broke away down the left. Anderson was quickly joined in the referee's book by Morris - this time for a foul on Stokes, and from the resulting free kick Rankin struck the defensive wall.

On 57 minutes Hibernian made their first substitution when Zemmama replaced McCormack, the change resulting in Wotherspoon having to drop back into defence. St Johnstone too made a change with former Hibernian player Morais replacing first half goal scorer Swankie. Not for the first time in the evening the Hibernian goal survived thanks to the brave goalkeeping of Stack. An excellent cross from the right was perfect for front man Deuchar to attack, but he was thwarted by Stack, who showed tremendous courage to get in front of the St Johnstone player and punch clear.

John Hughes introduced Galbraith for Rankin to insert some energy into a tired looking Hibernian midfield. The home side went close to regaining the lead seconds later thanks to a lung bursting run from another substitute - Merouane Zemmama. The little Moroccan ran almost half the length of the field before slipping the ball through the legs of Grainger and giving Wotherspoon clear sight of goal. The youngster steadied himself for the shot but he delayed too long and allowed a blue shirt to get back and divert the ball off target.

Mackay picked up a yellow card for fouling Galbraith before a shot by Miller from distance had to be watched very carefully by goalkeeper Main. Millar replaced Craig for the Perth side and it did not take him long to become involved, the substitute racing onto a pass from Davidson before finding the far corner of the net with a right foot drive. Hibernian almost equalised immediately when a Zemmama cross was diverted over the head of Main by defender Gartland, but unfortunately for the Easter Road side the ball landed onto the roof of the vacant net.

St Johnstone's final change saw McCaffrey replace Anderson before a shot from Morais was spilled by Stack at his near post, the goalkeeper was quick to his feet to block the second shot from Milne. From the resulting corner kick the ball was cleared but only to the edge of the penalty area where Morris unleashed a stunning right-foot shot that flew into the top corner of the net.

Hibernian pushed as many bodies forward as they could in search of a way back into the match but St Johnstone held on comfortably for a victory that few could deny they deserved. It was a disappointing evening for Hibernian as they crashed out of the competition with few positives, if any, for John Hughes to take from the match.

Hibernian: Stack, McCormack, Hanlon, McBride, Bamba, Murray, Wotherspoon, Miller, Stokes, Riordan, Rankin. Subs: Ma-Kalambay, Hogg, Benjelloun, Galbraith, Zemmama.

St Johnstone: Main, Mackay, Grainger, Anderson, Gartland, Morris, Davidson, Craig, Milne, Deuchar, Swankie. Subs: McCaffrey, Millar, Morais, Samuel, McLean.

Referee: Charlie Richmond.

Attendance: 6,789

Report: Richard Payne