National League Premier Division/UCD 0 Drogheda United 0: Drogheda failed to make it another auspicious away day as they wasted an opportunity to regain the leadership of the Premier Division after excelling in the Uefa Cup last week.

Indeed, having dominated much of the play, Drogheda might well have lost as UCD enjoyed a late flurry to create their only openings of the game - including a proverbial sitter for substitute John Brophy eight minutes from the end.

A pass from Jason Gavin ricocheted into Brophy's path, but with only Dan Connor to beat, the big striker shot wide.

Just minutes earlier, Pat McWalter fired narrowly wide following three successive corners while Damien Lynch had to head off the line from Gary Dicker.

With two changes from the side that drew 1-1 with HJK Helsinki, Drogheda started somewhat sluggishly as UCD, despite their injury problems, took the game to them.

Drogheda's solid shape was never threatened, though, and they gradually came into the game to create the first two openings.

The award of a free kick, for a dubious foul by Alan Cawley on Stephen Bradley, brought the first, Paul Keegan's effort requiring an agile tip-over from Darren Quigley.

Minutes later, Shane Robinson's incisive run at the UCD defence allowed space for Tony Grant to get clear down the left. The finish was less creative as the new signing shot into the side-netting when he should have been on target.

Grant was gifted a much easier chance on 28 minutes to put substance to Drogheda's dominance.

A slip by UCD captain Alan McNally gifted the Drogheda striker the ball. And though he did much right, skipping around the scrambling Quigley, his feeble shot was comfortably cleared by the retreating Brian Shortall.

There was more urgency to Drogheda from the resumption.

Keegan and substitute Eamon Zayed set up Stephen Bradley, who jinked forward only to pull his shot wide. Keegan then put Grant in, and though he lobbed the stranded Quigley from the edge of the area, Conor Kenna headed off the line.

And on 65 minutes, Robinson's corner was met by Keegan, but his header was scrambled away.

UCD: Quigley; Kenna, McNally, Shortall, Ryan; Hurley (Harte 67 mins), Cawley (Brophy 67 mins), Dicker, Doyle; McWalter, Sammon.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Lynch, Gavin, Gartland, Webb; Whelan, Bradley (Tyrrell 73 mins), Keegan (Fitzpatrick 89 mins), Robinson; Grant, Barrett (Zayed half-time).

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).