UCD 0 Monaghan United 1:ROBBIE COLLINS'S early goal, coupled to bad finishing and some desperate defending, saw Monaghan through to the fourth round of the FAI Cup as they utterly frustrated UCD at the UCD Bowl.
With the home side favourites to advance, a lead goal for First Division Monaghan after 15 minutes set up a typical if scrappy cup tie in front of a paltry crowd.
College midfielder Brian King was dispossessed by an alert Collins and the striker matched his awareness with a composed finish, drilling a shot to the bottom right-hand corner of Matt Gregg's net.
UCD hit back and Derek Doyle fired wide while Brendan Kennedy pushed a Brian King free-kick out for a corner kick on 27 minutes.
College continued to press and skipper Conor Kenna went close with a speculative effort from over 35 yards on 40 minutes as Monaghan put nine men behind the ball.
With five men across midfield, Monaghan continued to frustrate UCD in the second half, restricting them to long-range efforts on goal.
Monaghan survived an amazing miss on 72 minutes when midfielder Alan McNally failed to convert King's inviting cross.
UCD continued to mount the pressure and three minutes later Monaghan captain Don Tierney somehow made a goal-line clearance to deny Doyle the equaliser.
UCD:Gregg; Mahon, Shorthall, Kenna, Bermingham (McMillan, 41 mins); Reilly (Purcell, 72 mins), King, McNally, Doyle; Finn (Fitzgerald, half-time), McWalter.
MONAGHAN UNITED:Kennedy; Mooney, Gartland, Malone, Whelan; Maher, Tierney, McCrossan, Hand; Meenan; Collins (Lanigan, 77 mins).
Referee:Darren Coombes (Dublin).
