Shelbourne - 1 UCD - 1 In the top against bottom clash at Tolka Park last night Shelbourne never really threatened to put UCD to the sword but Pat Fenlon's men can take solace from the fact that their main rivals also dropped points.
A disappointing result, but on a positive note Shelbourne striker Jason Byrne finally broke his goal drought, stretching back to May, to earn his side a point.
After turning over Bohemians for their only win of the season the initial signs pointed to the students springing another surprise on one of their Dublin rivals. With just seven minutes gone a glancing header from Robbie Griffin had them in front.
Shelbourne's reply was almost immediate, as they could have had two goals in as many minutes. First Byrne shot over the bar before Thomas Morgan and Byrne combined to free Stephen Geoghegan, but the veteran striker completely missed the target.
They kept coming and after an Ollie Cahill cross Byrne arrived at the back post, just ahead of strike partner Geoghegan, to level matters up with his eighth league goal of the season.
That was all the home side had to offer for the remainder of the half as UCD created the only other notable chances. Griffin nodded down to Patrick McWalter but his attempt was high and wide while, just before the interval, Alan Cawley almost sneaked in at the front post.
The table-toppers stated their intent early in the second half with Byrne again going close while Richie Baker took up a more central role that saw him through on goal only for the pace of the ball to beat him.
Wesley Hoolahan's introduction on the hour added the extra width down the left but his side still struggled to prise open the UCD defence.
SHELBOURNE: Williams, Heary, Crawley, Rogers, Doherty, Crawford, Morgan (Byrne 68), Baker (Rowe 85 mins), Byrne, Geoghegan, Cahill (Hoolahan 62 mins).
UCD: Jennings, Sullivan, McAuley, Donnelly, McNally, Martin, Cawley (Rooney 52 mins), O'Donnell, Griffin, McWalter (Martin 77 mins), Ryan.
Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).
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