A spectacular strike by Stuart Byrne put Longford Town back on the winning trail in the Premier Division as they scored a well-deserved win over UCD at Flancare Park.

Byrne broke the deadlock with 36 minutes gone on the clock when he latched onto a Stephen Gavin cross to plant an unstoppable shot in the roof of the net. Longford should really have won in even more comfortable fashion as a number of other clear-cut chances fell their way during the course of the game.

Niall Byrne shot just over the bar when it seemed easier to score in the early stages of the second half and the same player was twice denied by UCD substitute keeper Patrick Jennings, who replaced the injured Barry Ryan at halftime.

Jennings, the son of the former Spurs, Arsenal and Northern Ireland goalkeeping great, Pat, kept his side in contention but the students never really looked like getting back on level terms.

Their fate was eventually sealed when a corner by Longford substitute Stuart Holt - his first touch of the ball - was forced over the line by Robbie Farrell in the 84th minute.

Relegation candidates UCD saw their best chance of the game fall to veteran striker Derek Swan but his well struck free kick was brilliantly saved by 'Town keeper Stephen O'Brien in the 16th minute.

LONGFORD TOWN: S O'Brien; A Murphy, W Byrne, V Perth, E Smith, P McNally, R Farrell, S Byrne, N Byrne, S Prunty, S Gavin. Subs: J Rogers for N Byrne (70 mins), S Holt for Gavin (84 mins), S Kelly for Farrell (87 mins).

UCD: B Ryan; E McLoughlin, M O'Donnell, K Martyn, C Delaney, R McAuley, A Mahon, T McDonnell, D Swann, R Martin, P O'Meara. Subs: P Jennings for Ryan (injured half-time), K Grogan for O'Meara (56 mins), C Kavanagh for McLoughlin injured 70 mins).

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin)