Dundee United 2-3 Greenock Morton: Oakley hat-trick stuns Tannadice
- Published
George Oakley heads in the first of his three goals at Tannadice
George Oakley scored a hat-trick as Greenock Morton denied Dundee United the chance to take over at the top of the Championship.
Oakley had the visitors 2-0 up on 36 minutes, only for Kai Fotheringham and Louis Moult to level before the break.
With Raith Rovers losing in Airdrie, a win would have taken United to the summit and they were on top until a late red card for Craig Sibbald.
And Oakley had the last say with a stunning volley in off the post.
Morton, unbeaten in seven games, move up to fifth place, with Oakley's first career treble coming against a team that had conceded just seven goals in 18 prior league games.
The first was a header from Michael Garrity's cross, the second was prodded in after good work from Lewis Strapp.
United's response was swift as Fotheringham glanced home before Moult powered in a header.
Glenn Middleton, Chris Mochrie and Tony Watt threatened for the hosts after the interval but momentum was lost when Sibbald collected two quickfire yellow cards.
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "We haven't managed the game well enough in those key moments.
"Up until now we've been very solid and aggressive but today we got bullied at times.
"The second yellow is a real killer for us when we are trying to chase the game, so it's a missed opportunity with the way the Raith Rovers result has gone. We've not done the basics well enough."
Morton manager Dougie Imrie: "It's a fantastic three points for us. Second half, the boys really dug deep, and big George - what a finish for the third!
"We knew they would put a lot of balls in our box and we lost two goals from that, but our response was fantastic.
"I'm absolutely thrilled for George. He's had a tough season, missing eight weeks with a wee injury, and he's starting to get up to speed.
"We're happy to go under the radar and take each game as it comes."