A blistering first half hat-trick from Cammy Smith saw Dundee United roar into the Betfred Cup quarter-finals via a superb Tannadice win over Partick Thistle.
The loan attacker from Aberdeen struck three times in the opening half hour to blow the Jags away.
But for some excellent saves from visiting goalie Ryan Scully, by half-time alone the Tangerines could have been five or six up.
Dominant from the start, they were ahead in the tenth minute.
Scott Fraser intercepted a Kris Doolan pass and made ground before rolling a perfect ball to Smith inside the area. He took a touch then beat Scully with a low shot.
It was all United and shortly after Scully made a fine stop to deny Tope Obadeyi.
It was no surprise when number two came on 27 minutes.
Obadeyi headed on just inside the Thistle half and Smith raced clear before beating Scully with another fine finish.
Less than three minutes later the man on loan from Aberdeen had his hat-trick.
Scully blocked his powerful shot, but when Blair Spittal struck the rebound, it hit Ziggy Gordon’s arm and referee Steven McLean pointed to the penalty spot.
Not surprisingly Smith stepped up to take the kick and sent Scully the wrong way for number three.
Just before half-time it was almost number four when Obadeyi struck the base of the post with a low strike.
In the second period United went looking for more goals and Spittal was denied by another good Scully stop.
Partick did pull one back from the spot when Sean Welsh netted from the penalty spot in the 64th minute.
United, though, continued to have the upper hand and were well worth their fine victory.
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