[1] He started his career playing for Valley Swifts[2] in the Braintree & North Essex Sunday League[3] before being spotted by Witham Town.
[6] McDonald continued to turn out for Valley Swifts even after his move from Witham to Maldon Town in July 2008, before signing for Isthmian League Premier Division side Dartford in October 2008.
Dartford put a stop to his Sunday League exploits[7] and in his short 4-month stay at Princes Park he made 17+3 appearances scoring 19 goals in all competitions,[8] including a hat-trick against Canvey Island on 30 December 2008.
It was form such as this which attracted interest from higher league clubs such as Norwich and reportedly Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic and Reading.
[12] He made his professional first team debut on 10 March 2009, as a substitute against Cardiff City at Carrow Road and scored in injury time.
He scored the first professional hat-trick of his career against Stockport County on 8 January 2011, his contribution helping Gills to a 5–1 away win and expressed his desire to stay at the Kent club.
But when Robins left for Huddersfield Town he was given a chance to prove himself to new manager Steven Pressley, on 16 March he scored the first and only goal of a 1–0 win over Hartlepool United.
In January 2013 McDonald rejoined Gillingham on a loan deal until the end of the season with the option of a callback after one month by Coventry.