Russell fires United treble

Dundee United striker Johnny Russell struck a hat-trick as the visitors came from behind for a 3-2 victory against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Russell cancelled out Manuel Pascali's opener just before the break and then completed his hat-trick with a couple more goals following it. Pascali headed a late second for the hosts.

An inviting Barry Douglas free-kick was actually headed in by Russell but an offside flag ruled out his early effort.

But it was the Ayrshire side going in front against the run of play when Pascali fired in after James Dayton eighteenth-minute corner was knocked down.

Back came the visitors with Jon Daly twice threatening alongside Gary Mackay-Steven until Russell drilled in an equaliser following Keith Watson's cross being only partially cleared.

And it was Watson charging down the right just beyond the hour that allowed Russell to head in his second of the afternoon to earn the visitors the lead.

Killie keeper Cammy Bell then denied Russell his hat-trick while Mohamadou Sissoko glanced an upright in reply before Russell broke clear to complete his treble.

Pascali immediately headed his second a couple of minutes later but it was too late to effect the outcome.

Kilmarnock: Bell, Fowler, O'Leary, McKeown, Barbour (Winchester 77), Sissoko, Racchi (Perez 69), Dayton, Pascali, Sheridan (McKenzie 70), Heffernan

subs (unused): Letheren, Tesselaar, Hay, O'Hara

Goals: Pascali (18, 90)

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Watson, Dillon, Gunning, Douglas, Flood, Rankin, Millar, Mackay-Steven (Skacel 87), Daly, Russell (Gardyne 90)

subs (unused): Banks, Barrett, Soutattar, Petrie, Dow

Goals: Russell (43, 63, 88)

Ref: C. Thomson

Att: 4,112

Seconds Out! Vital Boxing is here!

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco