Aberdeen's European hopes suffered a setback as Dundee United won a pulsating clash at Pittodrie.

Five goals were scored in the opening 17 minutes of the Bank of Scoland Premier League tussle.

Jon Daly netted from the penalty spot inside 60 seconds following Michael Hart's foul on Collin Samuel, but Aberdeen equalised when Scott Severin's free-kick was deflected in by Steve Lovell.

Darren Mackie then converted a penalty after David McCracken brought down Richard Foster, but Noel Hunt's header and a goal from Greg Cameron in either half saw United take all three points back to Tayside.

They even threatened to add to their total, but four was plenty to sink the Dons.

In a whirlwind start, United took the lead inside the opening minute when Daly calmly converted from the penalty spot, but Aberdeen quickly came roaring back and a Lee Wilkie foul on Mackie presented the home side with a free-kick 25 yards from goal.

Chris Clark knocked the ball into the path of Severin who unleashed a powerful drive and when the ball deflected off Lovell's heel, Derek Stillie was rendered helpless in preventing the equaliser.

Aberdeen were not finished there though and took the lead in the eighth minute as Mackie scored from the spot, only for United to respond in the most positive manner possible.

Sean Dillon whipped in a free-kick from the left wing following a foul by Russell Anderson on Samuel and Hunt stole in to head past Jamie Langfield from 12 yards.

Aberdeen continued to look extremely shaky in defence and amazingly, with less than a quarter of the game played, the visitors scored a third goal.

A poor header from Anderson was seized upon by Cameron and the midfielder took one touch to control the ball before lashing a spectacular shot off the underside of the crossbar and in.

Aberdeen looked to respond to the concession of that goal through a Steve Lovell shot which drew a smart save from Stillie and the United goalkeeper was soon called into action once again.

Severin's deep free-kick found Mackie at the back post, but from an acute angle the striker could only direct a header straight at Stillie, who made another good block.

For their part, United continued to look dangerous from crossed balls and following a good delivery from Christian Kalvenes, Samuel was well placed but could only head wide.

Aberdeen made one change during the break with Anderson - who received an unfortunate boot to the face from Hunt during the first half - withdrawn in favour of Chris Maguire.

The Dons started positively in their quest to restore parity and from Foster's outswinging corner three minutes after the restart, Andrew Considine was on hand to bullet a header over the crossbar from 12 yards.

However, it was United who fashioned the next goal, when Hunt's drive from 20 yards struck Langfield's far post and Cameron was left with the simplest of tasks to score his second of the afternoon.

Aberdeen retaliated with a Clark shot which was saved by Stillie and almost pulled a goal back thanks to a fantastic passage of football involving Foster, Lovell and former United manager Craig Brewster.

A neat passing exchange allowed Brewster a chance to shoot from 12 yards, but Stillie got his angles right in making a crucial stop.

Stillie then had to make another great save, this time to keep out a header from Lovell, but with 11 minutes remaining, Aberdeen were fortunate not to have conceded a fifth goal.

A terrific surge forward by Dillon ended with a cross to Hunt and had it not been for a vital intervention from Richie Byrne, United would have capped a superb attacking performance in the perfect way.

Teams:

Aberdeen Langfield, Hart, Anderson (Maguire 46),Considine (Diamond 61), Byrne, Mackie, Severin, Clark, Foster,Brewster (Miller 69), Lovell.

Subs Not Used: Soutar, Touzani, Daniel Smith, Paton.

Booked: Brewster, Severin.

Goals: Lovell 8, Mackie 10 pen.

Dundee Utd Stillie, Dillon, Wilkie, McCracken, Kalvenes,Samuel, Kerr, Gomis (Duff 66), Cameron, Hunt, Daly.

Subs Not Used: McLean, Mair, Gardiner, Easton, Goodwillie,

McCord.

Booked: Kalvenes, Kerr, Daly.

Goals: Daly 1 pen, Hunt 14, Cameron 17, 51.

Att: 12,148

Ref: M Tumilty (Scotland).