MacDonald was proving to be a key player as Dundee pushed for the top of the league, and scored four goals in three games, twice away to Dumbarton, once more against Queen of the South, then in a 2–1 defeat at Livingston where he also missed a penalty. When Dundee visited Hamilton hoping to reel in the team top of the league, "Peaso" struck with a diving header in the last few minutes after a shot from Martin Boyle had come off the bar to give the Dees a 3–0 win. He rounded off 2013 with a goal against Alloa then another two against Dumbarton. The 33-year-old had to wait until 1 March for his next goal in a 2–0 win against his former employers Morton, with new manager Paul Hartley now in charge. He scored again a fortnight later when The Dark Blues visited Livingston, a curling free kick to keep Dundee top of the league in a 2–0 victory.