Glen Crowe rescued Bohemians with a late equaliser, though it wasn't enough to stop some of their fans demanding manager Pete Mahon's removal at the final whistle as the champions stretched their run without a win to eight matches.
Crowe arrived to connect with a Dave Morrison cross from the right to power a firm header into the bottom corner of the net with just eight minutes remaining to a huge roar and sigh of relief from the Bohemians faithful and, doubtless, Mahon himself.
That cancelled out a super lead goal by UCD which came on 49 minutes.
John Martin worked a one-two with Eoin Keating following a throw-in on the right. Alan McNally connected superbly with Martin's cross to score with a volley on the turn to give Wayne Russell in the Bohemians goal no chance.
Russell was then lucky to stay on the field on 58 minutes for a blatant professional foul on Robbie Martin as the young striker pushed the ball by him after player-manager Paul Doolin played him in.
However, Dublin referee Ian Stokes only brandished a yellow card to the fortunate Bohemians goalkeeper.
Having equalised, Bohemians pressed desperately for a winner in the dying minutes. Ryan held a fierce shot from substitute Gary O'Neill while Crowe headed wide when he might have found the target in stoppage time.
Bohemians enjoyed much the better of a fitful first-half but created only one clear chance and even that had a touch of offside about it.
That came on 25 minutes when Dave Hill's ball forward caught the UCD defence square to leave both Morrison and Crowe through on goal. But Ryan was alert to the break and was off his line very quickly to make a save at the feet of Crowe.
UCD: B. Ryan; Keating, Delaney, McDonnell, D. Ryan; J. Martin, Doolin, McNally, O'Donnell; Martyn, R. Martin.
BOHEMIANS: Russell; Shelley, O'Connor, John, Hill; Byrne, Harkin, Hunt, Morrison; Molloy, Crowe. Subs: O'Neill for Byrne (60 mins.), Fitzpatrick for Harkin (84 mins.).
Referee: I. Stokes (Dublin).