Bohemians benefit from errors

Bohemians maintained their remarkable away record as strikes from Glen Crowe and an own-goal from Ciaran Kavanagh at either end of this match sealed a more comfortable win than they might have expected.

The victory, which gave Bohemians their 13th point on their travels this season, moves Roddy Collins' side to within two points of joint-leaders Cork City and Shelbourne.

Clearly disrupted by the absence through injury of regular right back, Tony McDonnell, and striker Mick O'Byrne, UCD started uneasily and Bohemians readily took advantage.

With the home defence caught square, Stephen Caffrey played the ball through the middle for Crowe to shoot low past Barry Ryan and give Bohemains a seventh minute lead.

Caffrey, who shot over a minute later, and Kevin Hunt, who scuffed a shot wide on 25 minutes, might have put a further gloss on Bohemians' bright start as UCD continued to struggle to get into the game.

It was 27 minutes before the students threatened Wayne Russell's goal when Ciaran Martyn trickled a shot wide of the post. But they should have been further behind a minute later.

Another error by youth international Delaney gifted the ball to Jamie Harris who screwed his shot well wide when he ought to have scored.

It only gradually improved for UCD. They forced the save-of-the-half from Russell who did well to hold a strong header from Eoin Bennis after Martyn had swept the ball wide for Brian Mooney to cross from the right.

But Bohemians ended the half as they had begun with Delaney once more having to make a superb block-tackle on Crowe after Dempsey appeared to have played him in on goal.

The second half saw little improvement in UCD's display and Bohemians remained on top, though not sealing their win until the 84th minute.

Again Delaney was found wanting as substitute Derek Swan got in behind him to cross from the end line. And Kavanagh watched in horror as his deflection flew past goalkeeper Barry Ryan and in to the roof of the net.

UCD: Ryan; McLoughlin, Delaney, Lynch, Mahon; Mooney, Kavanagh, Martyn, McAuley; Hanrahan, Bennis. Subs: Martin for McAuley (55 mins.), Kilmurray for Hanrahan (77 mins.).

BOHEMIANS: Russell; O'Connor, Maher, Mullen, John; Byrne, Caffrey, Hunt, Dempsey; Harris, Crowe. Subs: Swan for Harris (55 mins.), Huggins for John (65 mins.), Kelly for Crowe (77 mins).

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Glenavon's first Irish Premier League title for 40 years is under threat because of knocks which have taken the defensive strongmen Alan Dornan and Gary Smyth out of the team.

Neither will play in the top table clash with Linfield at Windsor Park on Saturday. Glenavon lost their leadership of the table to Linfield on goal difference after a spectacular 3-3 draw with defending champions Glentoran. Linfield clambered over Glenavon with a 1-0 win at Coleraine.