Five-up for United

Striker Johnny Russell netted a hat-trick as Dundee United completed an easy 5-0 victory in their Scottish Cup fourth round tie at second division Stranraer.

Skipper Jon Daly also scored twice and the visitors never appeared in any serious danger throughout.

Home keeper David Mitchell tipped over an early effort from Stuart Armstrong before Russell opened the scoring with a firm finish inside the near post from Barry Douglas' deflected cross on thirteen minutes.

Russell's second wasn't far away either as Douglas whipped in another delivery and Rudi Skacel laid off for a comfortable steer into the corner.

That lead was further extended five minutes from the break as Daly struck from close-range following Russell's neat assist.

Tangerines' defender Keith Watson headed against the crossbar into the second-half before Daly forced in number four after Russell was again in the action just beyond the hour.

And that became five eight minutes later when substitute Michael Gardyne's shot was charged down and Russell followed up to complete his hat-trick.

Danger man Russell later struck the outside of a post and saw another effort deflected wide just before the end.

Stranraer: Mitchell, Staunton, MacGregor, McKeown, Dunlop, Gallagher, Winter, Phinn (Aitken 79), Moore (One 68), Malcolm, Love (Agnew 79)

subs (unused): Cadwell, Wright

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Watson, McLean, Gunning, Douglas, Flood (Ryan 62), Rankin, Armstrong (Dow 71), Skacel (Gardyne 65), Russell, Daly

subs (unused): Banks, Lacny

Goals: Russell (13, 27, 69), Daly (40, 61)

Ref: Finnie

Att: 1,089

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