Aberdeen have beaten Dundee United 3-1 in today's Scottish Premiership clash at Tannadice, courtesy of Scott Vernon's emphatic hat-trick.

Vernon opened the scoring for the away side after just seven minutes on the clock, Peter Pawlett using his pace to set up the 30-year-old who subsequently struck a low shot under Marc McCallum.

Pawlett and Vernon combined again on the quarter-hour mark, but this time, the resulting effort was off target.

Midway through the first half, Niall McGinn's cross was met by Barry Robson's header, but the effort flew inches wide of the post.

Eventually, the equalising goal came courtesy of Sean Dillon. The Irishman, assisted by Stuart Armstrong's cross, lashed a shot into the top left corner to leave Jamie Langfield stranded.

The Dons goalkeeper was, however, responsible for a great save late on in the first half when he tipped a close-range Mark Wilson effort onto the bar.

McGinn had the ball in the back of the net just four minutes after the restart, but the referee disallowed the effort for offside.

Vernon was once again on the scoresheet in the 55th minute after converting Robson's corner to give the Dons the lead for the second time in the match.

The 30-year-old's hat-trick was confirmed midway through the second half, after a mistake at the back allowed the Dons striker to walk the ball into the net.

The result puts Dundee United in fourth place, while Aberdeen are in second spot, four points ahead of Motherwell.