Honours even

UCD 2 Drogheda United 2A superb 75th-minute equaliser by striker Declan O'Brien was enough to earn Drogheda United a point at Belfield Park.

Remarkably, for both clubs this was a 10th draw in 24 league games.

Drogheda dominated the early exchanges, and Mark Leech had a glancing header well saved by goalkeeper Darren Quigley after a low, penetrating cross from the right by defender Damien Lynch.

Leech again had a chance with a header just over the top after another Lynch cross from the right. Dutch winger Jermaine Sandvliet then went close for the visitors, only to see his effort pushed away by Quigley after good approach work between Gavin Whelan and Simon Webb.

Very much against the run of play, UCD grabbed the lead on 15 minutes when a high cross from Gary Dicker allowed striker Anto Murphy to get in a looping header from 12 yards.

On 39 minutes Drogheda were level when Cork referee Anthony Buttimer awarded a dubious free for a foul on Sandvliet.

Keith Fahey made no mistake with the free to fire home from 22 yards over the wall of defenders with Quigley unsighted.

But in the third minute of added time in the first half, UCD again had their noses in front when Dicker headed home.

UCD: Quigley; Mahon, McDonnell (Byrne 36 mins), Shorthall, O'Donnell; Gannon, Hurley (Harte 71 mins), Dicker, McWalter; Murphy, Dupuy (Doyle 80 mins).

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Lynch, Gavin, Gray, Webb; Fahey, Keegan (Ristila 45 mins), Whelan, Sandvliet (Gartland 81 mins); Leech (Malcolm 61 mins), O'Brien.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).