Gary Twigg proved the match winner once again as Shamrock Rovers took a much deserved 2-1 win from the Belfield Bowl to go level with Dundalk at the top of the Airticity league
UCD looked to be on the way to a sixth league game unbeaten until the Scot's 85th minute left footed strike from substitute Dessie Baker's lobbed pass sent the massive visiting support into raptures.
The Students came into this South Dublin derby on the back of five consecutive clean sheets in the Airtricity league, but it took just eight minutes for Rovers to break the deadlock. James Chambers curling an inch perfect free kick into Billy Brennan's bottom left corner, the goalkeepers shut-out ending just shy of what would have been a landmark eight hours.
But the Hoops held UCD at bay for less than eight minutes as the heavy rain stopped, Paul Corry checked onto his weaker right foot and fired a speculative shot from 25 yards. Alan Mannus looked to have the shot to his left well covered until the ball ricocheted off Paddy Kavanagh and into the opposite corner of the net.
Having began the game as though in a mood to steamroll promoted opposition, the equalising goal rocked Rovers back on their heels. And it was the home side which should have led at half time.
Centre back Evan McMillan will be the most disappointed after getting his foot to Chris Mulhall's inswinging corner only to send the chance clear of the six yard box rather than goalbound.
The big man was, however, performing his primary function with much more efficiency, and Twigg, playing as a lone frontman, was not allowed any clear cut opportunities, but the mark of a finisher, he took his one chance expertly.
Billy Dennehy, was a constant headache for Sean Harding in the UCD defence and looked most likely to create a second for the visitors. In the first minute of the second half, his inswinging free kick found Dan Murray at the near post, the former Cork City stalwart was unable to direct his header home.
Minutes later the winger was desperately unlucky not to give his side the lead, Chambers side-footed effort parried out by Brennan just inches behind the sliding Dennehy.
The visitors looked in control and with the addition of Baker,switched to a more offensive 4-4-2 with 20 minutes to go and the substitution proved inspired from Michael O'Neill as his side withstood a barrage of late pressure from a UCD side that has become unfamiliar with defeat.
UCD (4-3-3): Billy Brennan, Sean Harding, Andy Boyle, Evan McMillan, Brian Shortall, Greg Bolger, Chris Mulhall, Paul Corry, David McMillan Ciaran Kilduff ( Robbie Creevy '71), Dwayne Wilson ( Shane Fitzgerald '71)
Subs not used: Ciaran Nangle,, Micheal Leahy, Ger Barron
Shamrock Rovers (4-3-3: Alan Mannus, Pat Flynn, Dan Murray, Craig Sives, Danny Murphy, Stephen Bradley, Chris Turner ( Dessie Baker '69) James Chambers, Billy Dennehy ( Thomas Stewart '78), Paddy Kavanagh ( Sean O'Connor '62), Gary Twigg,
Subs not used:Robert Duggan, Enda Stevens
Referee: Declan Hanney
Attendance: 1,348
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