Aberdeen's on-loan 'keeper Tony Warner was given an unforgettable debut as basement battlers Dundee United recorded their fourth League win over the Dons this season - a feat the Taysiders had never managed before.

The 6ft 4ins stopper was handed the number one jersey as Dons boss Paul Hegarty attempted to stem the flow of goals which had seen his team equal the worst defensive record since the Premier League started.

But United looked favourites to win this game from the start as they went straight on the attack, and although the Dons did carve a few openings, they never looked like scoring and were no match for the fired-up visitors.

Aberdeen had all their best chances in the first half with the most inviting coming when Andreas Mayer and Eoin Jess both sent efforts wide of the target.

But United deservedly edged ahead when ex-Dons striker Billy Dodds headed home a Scott McCulloch cross from the left, and after that, there was no stopping them.

Joe Miller, another ex-Don, put United two up in 53 minutes when he slipped the ball past Warner after latching on to another cross from McCulloch.

Straight from the restart United made it three with McCulloch again the provider. The former Dunfermline defender slipped the ball through to Kjell Olofsson, who calmly placed the ball into the corner of the net.

United then completed the afternoon's scoring with their third goal in as many minutes when Dodds slammed home his second of the day after playing a one-two with Olofsson.

Aberdeen's misery was not yet over as Dons' substitute Nigel Pepper became the centre of attraction for the wrong reasons for the second time in a month.

The former Bradford player was sent off against Celtic in March after six minutes. This time, the substitute replaced Paul Bernard on 71 minutes and within a minute, was red-carded for a foul on United's Siggy Jonsson.

United have now scored 11 goals without reply, and on this performance, one wonders why the Taysiders are in the League position they are in.

Today's result brings them to within two points of Aberdeen and once again puts question marks over the future of Dons' boss Hegarty.

Teams

Aberdeen: Warner, Perry, Whyte, Smith, Hamilton, Jess, Mayer (Wyness 65), Dow, Bernard (Pepper 71), Young, Winters.

Subs Not Used: Leighton, Anderson, Buchan.

Sent Off: Pepper (72).

Dundee Utd: Dykstra, Malpas, Jonsson (Patterson 87), Olofsson, Hannah, Easton, Dodds, Miller, Skoldmark, Jason De Vos, McCulloch (Murray 61).

Subs Not Used: Mathie, Eustace, Gallacher.

Goals: Dodds 36, Miller 53, Olofsson 54, Dodds 56.

Att: 11,603

Ref: H Dallas (Motherwell).