Airdrie Utd v Dundee Utd

Airdrie Utd 2

Donnelly 85′, 90′

Dundee Utd 6

Rankin 17′ Robertson 43′ Russell 62′, 68′, 84′ Mackay-Steven 71′

FT 90 +4
HT 0-2

Jonathan Sutherland joins the fans as Airdrie United take on Dundee United

Johnny Russell scored a second-half hat-trick as Dundee United cruised into the fifth round of the Scottish Cup at the expense of Airdrie United.

John Rankin fired the 2010 winners ahead, with Scott Robertson adding a cool side-foot finish.

Russell lashed in a powerful strike 17 minutes after the interval and then headed home Paul Dixon's cross.

Gary Mackay-Steven powered in a shot before Russell struck again, with Ryan Donnelly replying twice late on.

The hosts had defeated Gala Fairydean 11-0 in the previous round and their bright start suggested they were in the mood to avenge a 2-0 defeat to United in the Scottish Communities League Cup earlier this season.

Jamie Stevenson saw his deflected effort from the edge of the area fly just over and from the resultant corner the Airdrie midfielder came close again, this time seeing his shot come back off the crossbar.

However, the Second Division side were soon undone on when former Diamond Mackay-Steven found Rankin bursting into the box and he fired powerfully past Connor Fairley.

Willie McLaren passed up a great chance to equalise when he volleyed straight at Dusan Pernis midway through the half and the Slovak was again on hand to deny Stevenson as Airdrie pressed forward.

It was the visitors though who were demonstrating the greater quality in the final third and in particular the combination of Dixon and Mackay-Steven down the left.

Dixon's low cross just evaded the on-rushing Russell and Jon Daly four minutes before the break but Airdrie didn't heed the warning and the second goal arrived just a minute later.

Mackay-Steven's excellent cut-back found Russell who laid the ball into Robertson's path and the midfielder expertly guided the ball into the top corner.

The second half followed a similar pattern as after a promising start to the half Airdrie conceded again. This time Russell found acres of room inside the area to control Willo Flood's cross before crashing an excellent finish into the roof of the net.

The gulf in quality was now starting to tell and the Scottish Premier League side added another two quickfire goals as Russell headed home another excellent Dixon cross before Mackay-Steven got the goal his performance deserved with an accurate shot across Fairley.

Russell completed his hat-trick as he slotted home the rebound after Fairley had blocked his first effort.

There was time for Airdrie to score twice as Donnelly first rounded Pernis and slotted into the empty net before heading in at the far post with the last touch of the game.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Airdrie Utd

01 Fairley
02 Green (Holmes - 31' )
03 Lovering Booked
04 Stallard
05 Lilley
07 Bain
06 Lynch (Johnston - 66' )
08 Blockley
09 Stephenson Booked (Devlin - 86' )
11 McLaren
10 Donnelly

Substitutes

17 Duncan
14 Boyle
15 Devlin
16 Johnston
12 Holmes

Dundee Utd

01 Pernis
02 Dillon
03 Dixon
05 Kenneth Booked
06 Flood
08 Robertson
11 Rankin (Douglas - 73' )
16 Armstrong (Ryan - 57' )
17 Mackay-Steven
09 Daly (Dalla Valle - 66' )
15 Russell

Substitutes

13 Banks
14 Douglas
07 Ryan
19 Dalla Valle
22 Dow

Ref: Charleston

Att: 2,434

Match Stats

Possession 40 60

Shots

11 10

On target

6 7

Corners

9 3

Fouls

7 8

Live Text Commentary

93:23 Full time

Full Time The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

90:00 +1:26

The assist for the goal came from William McLaren.

90:00 +1:26 Goal scored

Goal - Ryan Donnelly - Airdrie U 2 - 6 Dundee U Ryan Donnelly grabs a goal from close range low into the middle of the goal. Airdrie Utd 2-6 Dundee Utd.

90:00 +1:00

Corner taken left-footed by William McLaren.

84:41

Assist by William McLaren.

84:41 Goal scored

Goal - Ryan Donnelly - Airdrie U 1 - 6 Dundee U Ryan Donnelly finds the back of the net with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Airdrie Utd 1-6 Dundee Utd.

83:28

Nathan Blockley has an effort at goal from 20 yards.

83:28 Substitution

Substitution (Airdrie Utd) makes a substitution, with Rhys Devlin coming on for Jamie Stevenson.

83:28

Lauri Dalla Valle provided the assist for the goal.

83:28 Goal scored

Goal - Johnny Russell - Airdrie U 0 - 6 Dundee U Johnny Russell finds the back of the net with a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Airdrie Utd 0-6 Dundee Utd.