City's six match unbeaten run was halted by a heavy Scottish Cup defeat at Arbroath.  The east coasters inflicted a 4-0 league defeat on Elgin earlier in the season and went one better by battering five past stunned keeper Ally Ridgers.  Manager Robbie Williamson gave Ross O'Donoghue his first start since early September, taking the place of skipper Hugh Dickson in the only change from the team which beat Dumbarton.

But the City defence looked shaky from the start, and allowed the home team to strike a vital opener in less than three minutes. Kevin McMullen's driven ball from the right spun out to the unmarked Kevin Webster and he made no mistake from ten yards. Paul Kaczan came close to grabbing a levelling goal, but the magnitude of Elgin's task increased when Bryan Scott rifled a 20 yard drive high past Ridgers to make it 2-0. Arbroath had further chances to increase their lead in the first half, but had to wait until they won a free kick in the early minutes of the second period.

Paul Watson's 25 yard effort curved low round the wall and beat the helpless City keeper. Williamson responded by bringing Davie Ross's height into the equation, coming on for Craig Frizzel. Martin Charlesworth and Anthony Tansley also came on to increase the visiting team's attacking options, but within moments a fourth goal from the head of Scott put the result beyond any doubt. Ridgers then had a moment he will want to forget in the final minute, fumbling Barry Sellars' last minute lob from the centre circle and watching in horror as it dropped into the goal behind him.

Arbroath: Craig Wight, Steven Rennie, Roddy Black (Terry Masson 84), Robbie Raeside, Jamie Bishop, Kevin McMullen, Kevin Webster (Andy Reilly 57), Bryan Scott (Alan Brazil 72), Paul Tosh, Barry Sellars, Paul Watson. Subs: Alan Campbell, Scott Morrison.
Elgin City: Ally Ridgers, Mark Nicholson, Allan Dempsie, David Hind, Paul Kaczan, Ross O'Donoghue, Zander Sutherland, Mark Smith, Darren Shallicker (Martin Charlesworth 70), Craig Frizzel (Davie Ross 55), Craig Campbell (Anthony Tansley 70). Subs: Kenny Gilbert, Steven Dunn.
Referee: Craig Charleston.