Dundee United take advantage of the three sides immediately behind them having their games postponed by thumping Partick Thistle to extend their lead at the top of the Championship to 17 points.

Lawrence Shankland's hat-trick sent them on their way to a sixth consecutive away win - and extended their unbeaten run to 12 games.

In contrast, Dunfermline slumped to a fifth consecutive defeat despite taking the lead away to Morton.

Morton move three points clear of second bottom Thistle and are level on points with their fifth-top visitors with a game in hand.

Edinburgh City have missed a big chance to go top of League Two as they not only failed to record a sixth consecutive win but crashed to a 2-1 defeat at home to Queen's Park despite taking the lead.

Cove Rangers stay two points clear despite their game away to Stirling Albion being postponed.

Annan Athletic also failed to take advantage of Cowdenbeath being inactive and a 4-0 thumping at home to Elgin City, for whom Kane Hester scored twice, allows the visitors to move to within two points of their fourth-placed hosts.

It was Elgin's second win in 11 games.

Brechin City remain bottom, two points adrift of hosts Stenhousemuir after a draw at Ochilview.

At one stage it looked like Raith Rovers were going to be knocked off the top of League One by Airdrieonians with the Kirkcaldy side behind in Forfar and the Diamonds ahead in Methil.

But Rovers stay a point ahead John Baird's equaliser at Station Park combined with a late Craig Watson leveller for East Fife.

Declan McManus' hat-trick in Falkirk's win over Peterhead takes the Bairns into second place.

East Fife's point takes them into fourth ahead of Montrose, whose game away to Stranraer was postponed.

The one downer for Dundee United is an injury for Nicky Clark.

It looks like the forward, who impressed in midfield today, was taken off with what could be a serious leg problem.

Image source, SNS

That late Kevin Nisbet strike was, indeed, not enough to prevent Dunfermline slumping to a fifth consecutive defeat.

The Pars stay fifth but are now equal on points with Queen of the South, Arbroath and today's hosts, all of whom have games in hand.

Image source, SNS

Lawrence Shankland's hat-trick takes United 17 points clear at the top of the Championship with a thumping win away to Thistle.

The title race - and the automatic promotion spot - is surely over now.

Lawrence Shankland's hat-trick at Firhill means the Scotland striker, who also has a goal for his country, has now found the net 24 times for United this season.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Peterhead are down to 10 men as David Ferguson is sent off for a foul on Aidan Connolly.