UCD will be the happier of the two sides at the end of a disappointing Premier Division clash at United Park last night. The visitors had enjoyed better possession in the first half, but failed to capitalise and they could have paid dearly as Drogheda turned up the heat in the closing stages.

Michael Harte, with a spectacular volley, and Martin Beggs both came close for the Boynesiders, while John Reid squandered a great opportunity.

Drogheda manager Martin Lawlor was left fuming at the end when a foul inside the UCD box on substitute Brian Irwin went completely unpunished.

Drogheda United: Byrne, Hill, Coady, N Reid, Carroll, Fox , Beggs, O'Dowd, Gallen, J Reid, Harte. Subs: Murphy for Fox, Irwin for J Reid, Kierans for Gallen.

UCD: Kelly, Bolger, Fitzgerald, Lynch, Palmer, Griffin, Kavanagh, Martin, Sherlock, O'Byrne, Kilmurry, Referee: P McKeown (Dublin).