Stevie Mallan's stunning long range effort was the pick of the goals as Hibernian rallied to see off a spirited Dundee side at Easter Road and leapfrog their Championship opponent into top spot in Group B of the Betfred Cup standings with a 4-1 win at Easter Road.
The midfielder crashed home from 25 yards after being teed up by Joe Newell for the only goal of an entertaining contest in Leith, but the men in green and white were wasteful in front of goal and allowed Christie Elliott to equalise after the break.
However, Kevin Nisbet, with his fouth goal in as many games against the Dark Blues, flicked home to restore Hibs' advantage before a quickfire double from subs Jamie Gullan and Melker Hallberg sealed a commanding win.
Newell hit the post in the first half for the hosts, wile Dillon Barnes in the Hibs goal made two smart stops to keep Champinship Dundee at bay.
Christian Doidge headed the list of Hibs absentees as he missed out through suspension, while Kyle Magennis joined Lewis Stevenson on the injury list and Alex Gogic, Ofir Marciano and Ryan Porteous were unavailable du to their involvement with their respective international sides.
However, the raft of changes did little to disrupt Hibs as Mallan rattled beyond Jack Hamiton after just ten minutes. his third goal of the competition so far.
Kevin Nisbet scored three times in three games against Dundee in the Championship with Dunfermline last season and had two brillant chances to extend that record before the break.
The striker headed wide from Boyle's cross moments after Newell hit the post following a well-worked team move before stooping to nod wide from another fizzed Boyle delivery just before the break.
Boyle and Nisbet were both off target shortly after the restart, but Hibs were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal and failed to heed the warning delivered by Charlie Adam in the middle of the pitch.
The veteran midfielder had been pulling the strings and after Dillon Barnes in the Hibs goal reacted well to block from Danny Mullen after he was lofted in by the ex-Rangers man, he created the equaliser for Elliott.
Josh Doig got caught under his clip over the top and Elliott volleyed under the advancing stopper to make it 1-1.
It was no less than McPake's men deserved but their restoration of parity lasted just five minutes before Nisbet did find the target.
Jamie Murphy burst to the byline before pulling the ball back across goal for the forward to apply the slightest of touches to divert it beyond Hamilton.
Gullan made an impact from the bench at Cove Rangers and was on the end of Boyle's cross to drive home the third with ten minutes remaining.
And within two minutes, Hallberg had confirmed a thumping victory by latching on to another driven Boyle cross to seal maximum points from the group for Jack Ross's men
Hibs: Barnes, P.McGinn, McGregor, Hanlon (C), Doig, Wright. Newell, Mallan, Murphy, Boyle, Nisbet.
Subs: Samson, Gray, Mackie, Hallberg, SMcGinn, Bradley, Shanley, Gullan
Dundee: J. Hamilton, McGhee, Kerr, Byrne, Mullen, McGowan, McDaid, Elliott, Robertson, Marshall, Adam
Subs: Legzdins, Wilkie, Strachan, N. Hamilton, Blacklock
Referee: John Beaton
