Dundee United 2-3 Greenock Morton: Oakley hat-trick stuns Tannadice

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.

• As it happened & reaction

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."