League of Ireland/Drogheda United 0 UCD 1:A well-worked goal straight off the campus training ground gave UCD a fully-merited win at United Park to ease their own relegation worries and compound a bad fortnight for Drogheda.

Though they remain seven points clear at the top in pursuit of their first league title, this defeat - following swiftly on their tame exit from the Uefa Cup at Helsingborg - means Drogheda have taken just two points from their last three league games to offer hope to the chasing pack with nine games to play.

The goal came seven minutes into the second half. Rather than float it into the area, Conan Byrne pulled his corner back along the ground for left back Ian Bermingham who drilled a shot low through a crowded goalmouth and into the far bottom corner of Dan Connor's net.

College might have doubled their winning margin 10 minutes from time, but for a tip-over save by Connor from Peter Hynes' diving header, as Drogheda failed to register a shot on target in the second half.

An early flourish from the league leaders aside, a well-organised UCD owned the first half as Drogheda struggled to get into the match.

It might have been a different story if Eamon Zayed had not shot straight at UCD goalkeeper Darren Quigley after a good interchange of passing by Shane Robinson and Sami Ristila worked a third-minute opening.

But UCD enjoyed much of the possession for the remainder of the first half, creating the best chance on 32 minutes.

Simon Webb, the Drogheda left back, conceded a free-kick for handball which pressed Connor into making a one-handed save from Byrne's 30-yard strike.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Shelley, Gavin, Gartland, Webb; Whelan (Keegan, 52 mins), Byrne, Robinson, Keddy (Cahill, 70 mins); Zayed, Ristila (Grant, half-time).

UCD: Quigley; Kenna, Shorthall (Crowley, 10 mins.), McNally, Bermingham; C. Byrne, McDonnell, McFaul, McWalter (Fitzgerald, 72 mins); Purcell (Hynes, 79 mins), Sammon.

Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin).