McDonald at the treble

Scott McDonald led the way with a first-half hat-trick as Middlesbrough destroyed Hull 4-2 and put a major dent in their npower Championship play-off hopes.Boro have spent the season languishing in the lower reaches of the table but a first-half masterclass left Nigel Pearson`s men stunned.Jay Simpson`s third-minute opener put the Tigers ahead but Australian frontman McDonald struck twice in quick succession to put the visitors in control and Julia Arca added a third before McDonald grabbed his third on the stroke of half-time.Anthony Gerrard replied for Hull in the second half but the result was a huge blow to Hull`s bid to sneak a top-six finish and gave Tony Mowbray`s men only their sixth away win of the campaign..Boro hit the crossbar late on through substitute Leroy Lita as Hull were spared further embarrassment.