Daly brace lifts Tangerines

Skipper Jon Daly scored twice and Scott Robertson was also on the mark as Dundee United reclaimed fourth place in the table with a 3-0 victory over bottom club Dunfermline Athletic.

Daly opened his account with a fine shot on the turn early in the second-half before Gary Mackay-Steven set-up Robertson for another with ten minutes remaining.

Three minutes later Daly completed the scoring to earn his side a sixth successive victory and help them leapfrog neighbours St Johnstone in the division.

Two-goal Daly diverted an early Paul Dixon cross wide before Gavin Gunning missed from distance and Dixon almost took advantage of a weak punch by goalkeeper Chris Smith as the hosts dominated.

Great work from Mackay-Steven then presented recalled defender Robbie Neilson with an opportunity which he hoisted over. Alex Keddie did head behind a Joe Cardle free-kick in reply while Smith turned aside Mackay-Steven's 20-yard attempt before the break.

But the Pars keeper was given no chance as Daly swivelled and drove in following the restart before Mackay-Steven struck directly at Smith, while Johnny Russell and John Rankin were both wide as the hosts chased another.

That duly arrived after the elusive Mackay-Steven swept past three opponents and sent in Robertson to finish with ten minutes remaining and Daly soon added another following decent work by Russell.

Dundee United: Pernis, Neilson, Dillon, Gunning, Dixon, Flood (Swanson 87), Robertson (Ryan 87), Rankin, Mackay-Steven (Armstrong 86), Daly, Russell

subs (unused): Banks, Kenneth, Douglas, Dow

Goals: Daly (49, 83), Robertson (80)

Dunfermline Athletic: Smith, McCann, Rutkiewicz, Keddie, Dowie, McMillan (Graham 63), Kerr, Mason (Willis 83), Cardle, Hardie, Kirk (Buchanan 76)

subs (unused): Goodfellow, Boyle, Thomson, Hutton

Ref: Beaton

Att: 6,654

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