Hearts secured qualification to the knockout stages of the Premier Sports Cup after defeating Dumbarton 4-0 in the final match of Group E at Tynecastle Park.
Lawrence Shankland's diving header after 17 minutes was supplemented by Michael Steinwender's header in first half stoppage time to set the Jambos on their way.
The second 45 saw a glorious solo effort from Alexandros Kyziridis at the beginning of the half before Claudio Braga wrapped up the scoring with a classy one-touch finish after 72 minutes.
The result means the men in maroon sail through Group E with a 100% record following earlier victories over Dunfermline, Hamilton, and Stirling Albion.
Derek McInnes made wholesale changes to the side that defeated the Binos 4-0 at Forthbank last Saturday, nine replacements including a starting berth for Ryan Fulton in goal with Michael Steinwender and Sander Kartum both in from the start. Meanwhile, there was space for new recruit Sabah Kerjota on the bench.
The Jambos went close inside a minute; a good cross found Lawrence Shankland unmarked at the back post, with his downwards header steered away by a Sons shirt before it could threaten.
After a bit of huffing and puffing against a very well organised Dumbarton team, Hearts claimed the lead after 17 minutes.
A sweeping move culminated in Elton Kabangu easing the ball into the path of Stephen Kingsley on the left flank; his spectacular cross from deep found Shankland who gladly buried the ball home with a diving header.
Frankie Kent nearly gave the Jambos their second two minutes later as he pounced on Sander Kartum's delivery from the corner, but his close range swipe was halted from crossing the line thanks to the acrobatics of Sons 'keeper Shay Kelly.
Dumbarton maintained their defensive stance, and a heroic headed block from Mark Durnan denied Shankland his second after the forward curled a delightful effort at goal from just inside the box.
Scott Honeyman registered Dumbarton's sole chance of the half, trying his luck with a powerful attempt from 25-yards which shot straight into the gloves of Ryan Fulton in the Hearts goal.
In first-half stoppage time, Hearts grabbed a second via Michael Steinwender, who leaped highest to nod home Sander Kartum's delivery from the corner.
HT: Heart of Midlothian 2-0 Dumbarton
Right out the gate, Dumbarton were a whisker away from pulling one back. Good running from Scott Tomlinson on the right saw him cut inside and go for goal, but his high effort could only clip the crossbar.
McInnes shuffled the pack at half-time, introducing Adam Forrester and Alex Kyziridis to the game - with the Greek winger making an instant impact by grabbing Hearts' third of the evening.
Cutting in deftly off the right, he elegantly weaved the ball between a pack of Dumbarton shirts before guiding the ball into the bottom corner via the post, putting the Jambos well and truly in control.
The fourth arrived after 72 minutes courtesy of substitute Claudio Braga, who was in the right place at the right time to receive Cammy Devlin's squared ball across goal - providing a simple one touch finish to guide the ball beyond Shay Kelly.
There was no further goals to report, and Hearts cruised through to the latter stages of the competition.
Hearts: Fulton, Kent (Findlay 85'), Kingsley, Kabangu (Kyziridis 45'), Nieuwenhof, Shankland (Braga 62'), Devlin (Kerjota 73'), Steinwender, Spittal, Wilson, Kartum (Forrester 45')
Subs: Clark, Braga, Milne, Findlay, Kerjota, McEntee, Forrester, Musa, Kyziridis
Dumbarton: Kelly, Durnan, Blair (McEvoy 59'), Tomlinson (Wallace 69'), Roy (Docherty 59'), Livingstone, McIntosh, Honeyman (Clark 69'), Neill, Walker, Kirkpatrick (Lynas 59')
Subs: Ecrepoint, Lynas, Clark, McEvoy, McCormick, Wallace, Falconer, Docherty, Johnston
Attendance: 8,722
Hearts Debut: Sabah Kerjota
