Cawley sent off as UCD battle for share of points

UCD ... 0 St Patrick's Athletic ... 0: Battling UCD picked up another vital point in their quest to avoid the drop, grinding out a scoreless draw with St Patrick's Athletic at Belfield Park last night.

The hard earned point could be so vital in the final league placings as they bid to retain their Premier Division status, although they did have to survive an 87th minute pile driver from Charles Livingstone which hit the crossbar from all of 25 yards.

For the second home game in succession, however, UCD finished the game with 10 men, but still put in a great defensive display to take a share of the spoils.

And while last Friday night against Derry City it was Robert Doyle who received his marching orders, last night it was the turn of Alan Cawley.

With eight minutes of the opening half left he became involved in a couple of off-the-ball incidents for which he was fortunate not to have been red-carded.

However, having survived that with only a booking, two minutes later the former Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday player became involved in a scuffle with St Patrick's Athletic striker Liam Kelly, leaving referee Damian Hancock with little alternative but to send him off.

He again became involved with Kelly having been red-carded, something which may or may not land him in even further trouble.

St Patrick's had begun in lively fashion with Paul Donnelly forcing the best out of Barry Ryan after only eight minutes.

However, UCD were to finish the opening half the better with Cawley involved in much of their more threatening moves.

With 10 men, UCD naturally faced a real uphill struggle after the break and certainly St Patrick's had the chances to take all three points. Tony Bird volleyed just wide, while headed chances fell to Michael Holt and Jamie Harris, but neither found the target.

UCD: B Ryan, Sullivan, D Ryan, McAuley, Delaney, McNally, J Martin, McDonnell, Cawley, Gallen, R Martin. Subs: O'Donnell for Gallen (40 mins); Doyle for R Martin (80 mins).

ST PATRICKS ATHLETIC: S Kelly, Crolly, Marney, Donnelly, Harris, Colm Foley, Osam, Holt, Doyle, L Kelly, Bird. Subs: Livingstone for Bird (83 mins); Russell for Holt (88 mins); McCarthy for Doyle (89 mins).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).