Scott McDonald helped transform Dundee United into convincing winners at Glebe Park despite only playing one half of the game.
McDonald came off the bench at the break to replace the injured Grant Gillespie and grabbed two goals and set up another for Billy King.
The Tangerines didn’t find their feet until after the break but they finally took the lead thanks to a tap-in from the Australian striker on 51 minutes. King added a second just five minutes later when he was played in by a great pass from McDonald.
There was a second for McDonald on 79 minutes then fellow sub Scott Fraser sent a rocket of a freekick into the net just a couple of minutes later. With two minutes to go, Bilel Mohsni completed the scoring with a header.
Prior to McDonald’s arrival, though, it had been pretty even. Indeed, City were causing United real trouble despite already being relegated.
This victory pushed United into third spot three points ahead of Dunfermline and just one behind second-placed Livingston, who have a match in hand, so it is all to play for.
The Tangerines had made only one change to the line-up that kicked off the 1-0 win over Falkirk on Saturday. Back from suspension came Sam Stanton, with McDonald the man to drop down to the bench. The home team welcomed captain Paul McLean back from his ban along with Dylan Mackin.
It was City who had the first effort on goal, with ex-Tannadice player Euan Spark shooting wide on two minutes.
King blasted over for the Tangerines then, with nine minutes on the clock, Stanton played a one-two with Thomas Mikkelsen then fed Paul McMullan, whose low shot was well saved by keeper Graeme Smith.
Up at the other end, it needed a terrific stop from United goalie Deniz to keep out Mackin’s header.
There was a blow for Brechin on the quarter-of-an-hour when Jordan Sinclair hobbled off injured and was replaced by Graham. There was also a real carry-on when James Dale became the first player booked for a poor challenge on United’s Grant Gillespie.
Brechin were giving as good as they were getting and, with 23 minutes gone, Callum Tapping took advantage of a slip by Mohsni and Deniz had to make the save.
Three minutes later, the Tangerines swept up the left and Jamie Robson’s cross was fired into the side-netting by Stanton. King then had his flick deflected by for a corner as the visitors pressed.
A great bit of battling play by Gillespie saw him take the ball off Isaac Layne just inside the Brechin half and find McMullan, who should have hit the target rather than fire over.
Mikkelsen burst forward on 37 minutes and his low strike was well held by Smith. Layne then seemed to be in the clear for City at the other end but he was called back for offside.
Gillespie flew into a tackle on Brechin’s Tapping just inside the United half five minutes before the break and could count himself lucky just to be booked as his studs were showing. City boss Darren Dods and his coaches were incensed that it wasn’t a red.
King should have had a go himself after twisting and turning inside the Brechin box but he inexplicably tried to pick out a pass when the shot was definitely on.
With just seconds left of an even first half, Layne had a header plucked out of the air by Deniz.
Gillespie, who had taken a knock when making the controversial challenge, made way at half-time for McDonald.
Just 15 seconds after the restart, it was almost 1-0 to the hosts when Mackin’s shot smacked Deniz’s left-hand post and spun across the face of goal.
United needed to get a grip and Mikkelsen almost put them ahead on 48 minutes, with his shot saved at close-range by goalie Smith.
The Tangerines finally got their noses in front and it was sub McDonald who was on target. A deep cross came in from the right from Stanton and McMullan, not the tallest man on the park, was able to head back across the face of goal from the back post. McDonald was there waiting for a tap-in and one of the easiest goals he will score.
King then made it 2-0 and this time McDonald was the provider, winning possession before sending his teammate clear. The Aussie looked on with satisfaction as King’s excellent strike nearly burst the City net.
United were piling on the pressure now and Smith did well again to keep out a deflected drive from Willo Flood.
Nice play from Flood set up King for a strike at goal on 68 minutes but City goalie Smith saved his side again when he helped send it over the bar.
United brought on Jordie Briels for Flood and City replaced Kalvin Orsi with Callum Morrison on 74 minutes.
McDonald made it 3-0 to United on 79 minutes when he found Anthony Ralston, took the return pass then blasted the ball into the Brechin net from 10 yards.
It was all United now and Fraser, who had replaced McMullan just three minutes earlier, made it four with a quite brilliant 25-yard freekick awarded for a City handball.
It was then all about Mohsni as the defender popped up two minutes from time to nod home Fraser’s freekick and cap an excellent night – eventually – for the visitors.
Attendance: 1,427.
Brechin City: G. Smith, McLean, Dyer, Dale (Lynas 86), Tapping, Layne, Spark, Orsi (Morrison 74), Crighton, Sinclair (Graham 15), Mackin. Subs not used: O’Neil, Watt, Costello, E. Smith.
Dundee United: Deniz, Murdoch, McMullan (Fraser 78), Mikkelsen, King, Stanton, Flood (Briels 74), Robson, Gillespie (McDonald 46), Ralston, Mohsni. Subs not used: Lewis, Scobbie, Edjenguele, M. Smith.
Referee: Craig Charleston.
