Queen of the South 6-0 Arbroath

Gavin Reilly's hat-trick helped Queen of the South to an emphatic win against Arbroath in the top-of-the-table clash at Palmerston.

The Doonhamers were level on points with their opponents going into the game but dominated throughout, William Gibson giving Allan Johnston's men the lead after 17 minutes with a 25-yard strike.

Nicky Clark notched his sixth goal of the season in the 37th minute, before Steven Doris spurned the opportunity to get the visitors back into the game when he smashed his 45th-minute penalty over the bar.

Reilly headed Chris Mitchell's corner into the bottom corner after 53 minutes before applying the finish to Daniel Carmichael's cross, 11 minutes later, to give the home side an unassailable lead.

Carmichael was again the creator three minutes from time when he supplied substitute Kevin Smith to score Queen of the South's fifth.

Reilly was on hand to complete his hat-trick and compound the Red Lichties' misery when he struck home with the last kick of the game.

Queen of the South: Robinson, Mitchell, Durnan, Higgins, Holt, Gibson (Orsi 77),Derek Young, McKenna (Black 79), Carmichael, Reilly, Clark (Smith 74).

Subs Not Used: Atkinson, Johnston.

Booked: McKenna, Holt,Mitchell.

Goals: Gibson 17, Clark 37, Reilly 53,64, Smith 87, Reilly 90.

Arbroath: Bullock, Baxter, Travis, Keddie (Malcolm 72), Hamilton, Doris, Kerr, Currie (Sibanda 56), Mair (Sheerin 46), Holmes, Gribben.

Subs Not Used: Morrison, Banjo.

Booked: Baxter, Hamilton, Travis.

Att: 1,554

Ref: John McKendrick