UCD proceeded into round three of the FAI Carlsberg Cup at Belfield Park last night, where they dominated throughout but still had to wait until the death before ensuring safe passage.

Alan McNally's 20th minute strike had put the Students in the driving seat but their nerves weren't eased until injury time in the second half when substitute Seβn Finn converted David Quinn's cross in the 92nd minute as Drogheda's brave second half revival was finally killed off.

UCD were full value for their half-time advantage, although they had player-manager Paul Doolin to thank for maintaining it right on the stroke of half-time when he cleared off the line to deny Danny O'Connor.

The home side had the better of the chances early on, with Doolin setting up Ciaran Martyn after 18 minutes, but the centre-forward just failed to find the target.

However, Martyn played a crucial role in the lead goal after 21 minutes when his clever knock down from a Michael O'Donnell cross found Alan McNally, whose cracking left-foot shot gave goalkeeper Alan Rogers no chance.

And it should have been 2-0 moments later when Roddy Martin was in the clear, but was denied by a point-blank Rogers save, while minutes later the Drogheda 'keeper saved from Doolin.

However, the visitors certainly improved after the interval as they chased a way back into the game.

And they were only denied an equaliser by the woodwork six minutes after the restart when Declan O'Brien hit the upright, while Mark Quinnless's follow up shot was cleared off the line.

Then Dom Tierney ballooned his effort over the top when it seemed certain he would level the scores on the hour mark, while O'Brien was also denied by the crossbar with 16 minutes left.

Kevin Grogan and Robbie Martin both squandered good chances to put the home side firmly in the driving seat after the break, while Grogan also hit the upright with a quarter of an hour left, before Finn sealed the victory in injury time.

UCD: B Ryan; Keating, D Ryan, Doolin, Delaney, McAuley, J Martin, C Martyn, R Martin, McNally, O'Donnell. Subs: Grogan for J Martin (41), Quinn for Martyn (67), Finn for R Martin 90.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers; Bradley, B Kelly, Mullen, Smyth, Leonard, Tierney, Qunnless, O'Brien, O'Connor, Cronin. Subs: Delaney for Leonard 72, Dodd for Cronin (83), D Kelly for Bradley (89).

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin)