Soccer - League of Ireland:Shane Guthrie was the tormentor-in-chief as his brace of goals, including the winner in the final 10 minutes, was enough to deny UCD at a drenched Richmond Park and return to the top of the Premier Division.
As players struggled to keep on their feet, fouls were at a premium just as scoring opportunities were scarce.
Billy Brennan was at fault for the opening goal when the UCD keeper completely missed Brian Cash’s corner and Guthrie seized on the chance with a diving header after 17 minutes.
Within six minutes the students were level when St Pat’s right-back Derek Pender initially did well to block a shot from Graham Rusk. But the ball broke for Chris Mulhall who side-footed past Gary Rogers.
The Saints started the better of the two sides in the second period but still struggled to test Brennan in the UCD goal.
St Pat’s got their winner in the 80th minute when another corner from the right - this time from Ryan Guy - wasn’t dealt with by the UCD defence and following a scramble, Guthrie pounced once more to head home from close range.
St Pat’s nearest challengers in the league, Bohemians, were leading 1-0 against Drogheda United when a localised power failure meant the game at United park had to be abandoned at half-time.
The visitors had made the breakthrough in the 31st minute with the simplest of goals when Mark Quigley clipped a ball in from the left which the in-form Paddy Madden headed past Paul Murphy.
Airtricity League of Ireland
Premier Division
Bray Wanderers 0-3 Sporting Fingal
Drogheda United 0-1 Bohemians
(Match abandoned due to power failure)
St Patrick's Athletic 2-1 UCD
Sligo Rovers 3-0 Galway United
First Division
Cork City 0-1 Shelbourne
Derry City 3-1 Wexford Youths
Limerick FC 5-0 Salthill Devon
Mervue United 4-3 Longford Town
Waterford United 1-2 Monaghan United