UCD 0 Drogheda United 1: Never an easy time here for visiting sides. Paul Doolin will testify to that as the Drogheda boss had orchestrated such nights during his stint at Belfield.
His players looked to have squandered their chance of capitalising on St Patrick's misfortune but, eventually, they pulled the rug on UCD.
Aiden O'Keeffe's injury-time sucker-punch secured their ticket back to the summit. Deservedly so on the balance of play but the visitors tested their supporters' resolve in doing so.
They should, in fact, have been ahead by the break. Everything about their application was impressive; pace, tenacity and direction.
UCD were smothered in midfield throughout by an imposing Drogheda quartet. Stuart Byrne and Shane Robinson's graft aided their wingers' advances upfield. Gavin Whelan was particularly clued in but how his crosses went unrewarded left the travelling support dumbfounded.
Five times before the break he crossed for Sami Ristilla, yet the former Finnish international lacked penetration. Twice the striker relayed backpost headers across goal when a selfish approach could have paid dividends. His backheel from Whelan's layoff then threatened to deceive Matt Gregg but the goalkeeper scrambled and gathered.
The hosts rarely got motoring and spent an age getting forward. During restricted surges upfield Paul Crowley and Ronan Finn impressed when cut loose but strikers Conor Sammon and Paul Byrne were left isolated too often.
Byrne, though, did test Dan Connor but it was a speculative effort that home fans cheered with 20 minutes remaining. Their side had won a corner - their first. That fact alone highlighted their difficulties. Still, Pete Mahon's side were seeing more of the ball as Drogheda's intensity waned. With Waterford now ahead against St Patrick's it was an unfortunate time to unravel.
But late on Drogheda summoned a revival. After Shane Robinson hit the post their tails were up and O'Keeffe latched onto a deflected Paul Keegan shot to secure the points late on.
UCD: Gregg; Mahon, McDonnell, McNally, Kenna; Finn (O'Sullivan 90), McFaul (Shortall 84), Crowley, Doyle; Byrne, Sammon (Purcell 61). Booked: Crowley (40), McFaul (57), Doyle (74). Sent off: Crowley (86).
DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Shelly, Tambouras, Gartland, Gray; Whelan (Keegan 84), Robinson, Byrne, Keddy; Zayed (O'Keeffe 62), Ristila (Grant 84).
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).
