AIRDRIE had their William Hill Scottish Cup dream ruined by Dundee United hat-trick hero Jonny Russell.

The Tannadice hot-shot helped his side to a place in the fifth round of the competition at New Broomfield on Saturday.

Airdrie made one change to the team which won the Monklands derby on Monday with Connor Fairley replacing knee injury victim Paul McKane in goal.

The visitors handed a start to ex-Diamond Gary MacKay-Steven and he would go on to have a major impact on the game.

It was Airdrie who had the first chance of the contest with Willie McLaren's low shot gathered by Arabs goalie Dusan Pernis.

The home side made a bright start and came inches away from the opener when Jamie Stevenson's shot, from a McLaren corner, hit the bar.

But this early pressure did not reap a reward and United showed the hosts how it is done by taking the lead in the 17th minute.

MacKay-Steven got the better of two Airdrie defenders to feed John Rankin who arrowed a low shot into the corner of the net from a tight angle.

Winger McLaren had another opportunity for the Diamonds in the 23rd minute when he latched onto Paul Dixon's poor headed clearance but his volley was saved by Pernis.

Another Stevenson effort was blocked by the Tannadice keeper before a low cross-shot from Dixon skidded out of play at the other end.

United grabbed their second goal in the 43rd minute. MacKay-Steven escaped from Jamie Bain and played in Russell who laid off for Scott Robertson to net.

It was 3-0 when Russell lashed a Willo Flood cross high past Fairley.

And the Tayside outfit notched up their fourth goal with Russell's diving header from a Dixon cross flying into the net.

MacKay-Steven got in on the act with a great finish from a Robertson pass before Russell bagged his hat-trick goal.

Airdrie pulled one back when Ryan Donnelly latched onto a McLaren through ball, rounded Pernis and slotted home.

And the Diamonds made it 6-2 when Donnelly scored his 24th goal of the season from a McLaren cross.

Colin Paterson at New Broomfield.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.