National League: UCD 0 - Bohemians 1Although Bohemians didn't hit top gear they did enough to take all three-points in the rain at Belfield Park last night. The significance of the tie promised a hard-fought encounter; one side looking to escape from the confines of the Premier basement, the other endeavouring to stay in the hunt to retain their title.
However, with a chill in the air and some heavy showers, accompanied by thunder and lightning, the game had spluttered virtually to a standstill by mid-way through the second period when Bohemians were coasting.
UCD have been putting up a decent fight at home this season, having already defeated Bohemians back in August, but from the 16th minute on it became evident that a repeat of that 2-1 victory was unlikely.
Bohemians ruthlessly punished them for their only defensive blemish of the first half, when Dave Morrison headed home at the near post after Hugh Davey failed to clear a Robbie Doyle cross.
Thereafter, the visitors' class shone through. A goal-bound shot from Doyle was blocked, and just before the break Colin Hawkins headed just wide of the target after the on-song Morrison supplied the inch-perfect pass.
Earlier, Hawkins could have ruined Bohemians' hard work when his lackadaisical footwork almost resulted in an equaliser but the lightning reactions of goalkeeper Shay Kelly denied the onrushing Patrick McWalter. What bewildered the UCD players was referee's Damian Hancock's failure to spot Hawkins blatant back-pass.
Glen Crowe was unable to convert two half chances in the second half but Stephen Kenny's men can be thankful that the students' replacement, Robbie Martin, also failed with the two scrappy opportunities at the other end.
Paul Keegan had a great chance to double the lead in the last minute, after a Crowe lay-off, but Patrick Jennings got down well to the substitute's snap shot.
The night ended in despair for Pete Mahon's young side when Alan Cawley was given his marching orders after a challenge on Bobby Ryan in injury-time and then word filtered through that their main relegation rivals, Derry City, had taken all three points against Longford Town.
UCD: Jennings; Sullivan, McAuley, McNally, Davey, Whelan (Gallen 83 mins), Cawley, McDonnell, O'Donnell, McWalter (Martin 59 mins), Rooney.
BOHEMIANS: Kelly, Lynch, Hawkins, Oman, Webb, Ryan (Caffrey 90), Hunt, Heary, Morrison, Doyle (Keegan 64 mins), Crowe.
Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).
