McDonald's treble made it five goals in four games for Boro.

The Australian struck firstly on 11 minutes after Hull took an early lead through Jay Simpson who latched onto Aussie Richard Garcia's headed pass.

McDonald produced a drilled right-foot shot to level the game, before adding another in similar fashion two minutes later after a Hull defensive error.

Julio Arca added a third for Boro on 26 minutes, before McDonald sidefooted in Barry Robson's cross to complete his hat-trick before the break.

McDonald was replaced on 67 minutes as the Teessiders cruised to victory and up to 17th in the Championship table.

Elsewhere overnight, Tim Cahill returned from a foot injury as a half-time substitute in Everton's 1-0 loss to Manchester United in the English Premier League.

Meanwhile, ex-Socceroo Scott Chipperfield scored a goal as FC Basel claimed a much-needed 2-1 win over Young Boys to move four points clear at the top of the Swiss Super League.

Basel had previously drawn their past three matches to allow second-placed FC Zurich to close the gap.