Scott McDonald at the double as Dundee United fire five against lowly Brechin

Scott McDonald scored a brace as Dundee United beat rock-bottom Brechin 5-0 to climb to third in the Scottish Championship.

After an evenly-fought first half the deadlock was broken in the 48th minute when a cross to the back post was met by Paul McMullan, who headed it across the face of goal for McDonald to tap in.

Billy King scored the Tangerines’ second in the 56th minute when McDonald won the ball in the middle of the pitch and released the midfielder, who fired into the net.

And McDonald added the third with just over 10 minutes remaining when he volleyed past Brechin goalkeeper Graeme Smith.

Scott Fraser scored United’s fourth from a 20-yard free-kick and Bilel Mohsni added the gloss when he headed in from a lofted corner in the 88th minute.