UCD - 0 St Patrick's Athletic - 0: Dublin rivals UCD and St Patrick's Athletic each recorded their ninth league draw of the season as they fought out a low-key scoreless encounter last night at Belfield Park.

St Patrick's threatened after just three minutes when Colm Foley headed just wide of the upright after a corner on the right from Mark Quigley.

Mark Rutherford almost broke the deadlock on 22 minutes. He collected a long ball in midfield then sprinted forward only to see his 25-yard effort pushed round the post by College goalkeeper, Darren Quigley.

The Students had a real let-off five minutes before the interval when Mark Rooney found Rutherford on the left; keeper Quigley missed the resulting cross only for David Mulcahy to shoot inches wide.

The Inchicore team's defence was at last tested on 46 minutes when defender Alan Mahon and striker Conor Sammon combined nicely on the right to set up a chance for Gary Dicker. But the Republic of Ireland under-21 international shot wide.

It was St Patrick's who were quickly back on the offensive after a needless Dicker foul on Anto Murphy. The resulting free from 25 yards by Keith Fahey was pushed over by Quigley.

There was no lack of endeavour by either side with St Patrick's enjoying the monopoly of the scoring chances. But they could find no way past Quigley in the home goal, who continued his heroics after frustrating Derry City in another scoreless draw at the Brandywell last Sunday.

UCD: Quigley; Mahon, McDonnell, McNally, Kenna; McWalter, Dicker, Crowley (C Byrne 37), Doyle; Finn (Shortall 62), Sammon.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Foley, Quigley, Brennan; Murphy, Fahey, Mulcahy, M Quigley (Armstrong 67), Rutherford; Keegan (O'Connor 67), Rooney (Grogan 82).

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).