Battling UCD hold Derry

UCD ended a dismal run of seven league defeats in a row to ease their relegation worries when picking up a vital point in last night’s entertaining Premier Division clash with Derry City at the Belfield Bowl.

Derry were to regret several missed chances when the Students grabbed the lead in the first minute of added time in the first half. A cross from the left by Corry was missed by the Derry defence and Dean Marshall cleverly took control of the ball to fire past Ger Doherty from 16 yards.

Derry were level on 65 minutes defender Danny Lafferty headed home after a cross by Ruaidhri Higgins from the left.

From the restart, Graham Rusk charged straight upfield and fired home a shot from the edge of the box that will give keeper Doherty nightmares as he fumbled the effort over the line.

Derry refused to lie down and were level again on 83 minutes when a corner by James McClean on the right allowed Scotsman Stewart Greacen to get in a diving header past Barron. Then late on, the visitors had a let-off when winger Darragh Meenan had a shot which rebounded off the upright.

UCD: Barron; Harding, D.O’Connor, Leahy, Nangle; Marshall (Russell 88), Corry, P.O’Conor, Benson (Ledwith 71) , Meenan; Rusk (Belhout 82).

DERRY CITY: Doherty, McCallion (McLaughlin 82), Greacen, S.McEleney, Lafferty; McGlynn, Deery (Harkin 43), Higgins, McClean; P.McEleney (McDaid 72), Zayed.

Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).