The Tories failed to secure their second top target seat in Scotland as the SNP romped to an emphatic Angus victory with an increased majority.
A swing of just over 2% had been required to oust Nationalist MP Mike Weir, but despite a high profile and costly campaign, Alberto Costa fell badly short of the prized objective.
Mr Weir polled 15,020 votes, more than doubling his 2005 majority to 3282.
The result was a major disappointment for the Tory party, who had rated the rural seat as only behind Perth and Perthshire North on its list of targets north of the border.
Behind the two-horse race, Kevin Hutchens of the Scottish Labour Party, with 6535 votes, won the fight for third place ahead of Lib Dem Sanjay Samani on 4090.
UKIP representative Martin Gray polled 577 votes, but was absent from the count as he had been at other key events in the run-up to the election.
Bitterness between the two main rivals which had marred the Angus campaign was evident in the speeches after Angus returning officer David Sawers announced the outcome.
Jubilant Mr Weir, who remarked that the Tories had “been sent home to think again” said he put his party’s substantially increased majority simply down to their reputation in Angus.
“Our reputation is very good. I think people have come to recognise that,” he said.
“People in Angus are aware of the work that the SNP do for Scotland.
“It’s an excellent result for the SNP here against a well-funded Conservative campaign. Not only have we won we have doubled our majority.
“It was a difficult campaign against the background of the leaders’ debate but we have worked hard and come through it.Grateful”There were times when it was all a bit personal but the people of Angus have stood by us and I am very grateful for them doing so.
“Not only have we doubled our majority but we have also increased our overall vote. It’s been an excellent night for the SNP in Angus. Really, what more could you ask for.”
Although roundly beaten, Mr Costa maintained that the result showed that the people of Angus were still against what he termed “separatism”.
“I fully accept that the majority of people have voted for the SNP and I wish Mike Weir success with his career,” he said.
“We have increased the vote for the Conservatives in Angus and I hope he (Mr Weir) is magnanimous enough to accept that and accept that this shows that people are still utterly against separatism of the UK.
“I have to thank the Conservative team in Angus for a most professional campaign, it was a very tough fight and one in which we successfully increased our share of the vote.”
Labour’s Kevin Hutchens said he had been saddened by the negative aspects of the Angus battle.
“We have held up our share of the vote and maybe even increased it and that is good for democracy and a result of the hard work we have put in,” he said.
“There has been a lot of negative feeling that was totally unnecessary from my point of view and it marred the discussion of core policies-it was very unhelpful.”
“I am pleased with holding up our vote, and I believe that is also down to actively working on local issues.”
Lib Dem contender Sanjay Samani felt his party were victims of the tactical battle surrounding the two front runners in the Angus contest.
He remarked, “It looks like our share of the vote has been squeezed and I believe that may be as a result of voting to keep Alberto Costa out.
“I thought the ugly spat between the SNP and the Tories took over the whole Angus campaign and I think the people of the constituency deserved better,” he added.
“They deserved the ability to make a choice on real issues rather than voting to keep someone out.”