In a quite astonishing match, Dons skipper Paul Hartley and Hoops defender Thomas Rogne were sent off by referee Alan Muir as the home side romped to a 4-0 interval lead with doubles from Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes, the Irishman netting two penalties.

Both strikers completed their hat-tricks after the break, while a drive from Joe Ledley, an own-goal by Josh Magennis and a late penalty from Paddy McCourt completed the rout.

Motherwell strengthened their grip on third place in the SPL with a 2-1 win at Inverness.

First-half goals from Alan Gow and Nicholas Blackman secured the win at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, despite a late fightback from the hosts who reduced the arrears through Stuart Duff.

The fourth league home defeat for Inverness, coupled with Dundee United's win at Hamilton Accies sees the Highlanders slip to fifth in the league.

Kilmarnock claimed a second successive emphatic league win as St Johnstone were defeated 3-0 at McDiarmid Park.

After last Sunday's emphatic 3-0 win at Hearts, Killie triumphed in convincing fashion again as Duberry deflected Ben Gordon's 36th-minute cross into his own net before Conor Sammon struck seven minutes from time and Liam Kelly added a third in stoppage time.

Cleveland Taylor, a first-half replacement for Murray Davidson, headed on to the top of the bar and hit another effort against the woodwork as Saints struggled in the final third of the pitch and suffered a third straight loss.

Dundee United striker David Goodwillie ended a troubled week on a high by continuing his goalscoring streak with the only goal against Hamilton.

Goodwillie, who was arrested in midweek, was dropped to the bench for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter at New Douglas Park.

But he scored in his sixth consecutive SPL match seven minutes after coming on to earn United a deserved three points.