Loan Round-Up: McLean nets brace for Dons

The midfielder opened the scoring shortly before the half-hour mark, ahead of Adam Rooney's brace giving the Dons a comfortable 3-0 lead at the break.

McLean added his second on 64 minutes to extend the advantage, robbing goalkeeper Scott Fox to tuck home.

A third double - this time from County's Alex Schalk - reduced the arrears late on as the game ended 4-2 to lift Aberdeen up to second.

On the same night, Russell Martin was rested as Josh Windass' hat-trick saw Rangers cruise to a 3-0 Scottish Cup fourth round win at minnows Fraserburgh.

Elsewhere in Scotland, Steven Naismith featured as a late substitute for Hearts during their 3-1 league defeat to Celtic.

First half goals from Odsonne Edouard, Dedryck Boyata and Moussa Dembele put the hosts firmly in control.

Former City striker Kyle Lafferty pulled one back midway through the second period, before being replaced by Naismith with a dozen minutes remaining.

Back in England, goalkeeper Paul Jones was an unused substitute in Sky Bet League Two as Exeter City earned a 2-0 home win over Forest Green Rovers.

Adam Phillips also remained on the bench for Cambridge United as they went down to a 3-1 reverse at Coventry City.

In the same division, Grimsby Town endured a difficult night as they saw two players sent off during a 3-0 defeat at Yeovil Town.

Mitch Rose was shown a straight red with just six minutes on the clock, shortly before Yeovil's Lewis Wing opened the scoring.

Karleigh Osbourne was then dismissed for a second bookable offence on the hour, with the home side taking full advantage as former Canaries youngster Rhys Browne and Jake Gray netted to complete victory.

City's Diallang Jaiyesimi was introduced at half-time for the visitors, but things never went Grimsby's way at Huish Park.

A level further down, Ebou Adams started for Leyton Orient as they earned an important 2-1 win away to fellow strugglers Halifax.

All the goals came in the first half, with Josh Koroma's effort proving decisive in the National League clash.