Dublin City 2 UCD 1:  Robbie Hedderman gave Dublin City no more than their second-half display deserved as they came from behind to move into the top half of the table.

If the crowd at Dalymount were most conspicuous by their absence, the Dublin City defence stood equally indicted for not turning up to defend the opening corner of the game on three minutes which brought UCD the lead in the only significant incident of an uninspiring first half.

The neglectful marking from Darragh Ryan's delivery was duly punished as Paul Byrne arrived at the near post to connect with a firm header which gave Gary Rogers in the Dublin City goal little chance as it flew into the roof of the net.

With manager Dermot Keely's advice no doubt ringing in their ears, there was far more impetus to Dublin's play from the resumption and they equalised on 61 minutes.

UCD failed to heed an earlier warning when Mark Rooney cut them open down the inside left channel to bring a diving save from Darren Quigley. David Freeman then threaded Rooney in again and this time he sidefooted the ball past Quigley for the equaliser.

Dublin continued to press and they got their reward in the 81st minute. Robbie Collins' well-flighted corner was met by Hedderman whose header flew into the corner of the net.

DUBLIN CITY: Rogers; Brennan, Keely, Whelehan, Hedderman; Pender (O'Donnell, 81 mins.), Shiels, McGill, Rooney; Freeman, Collins (Doyle, 85 mins.).

UCD: Quigley; Mahon, McNally, Shortall (Hurley, h/t), Kenna (Quinn, 87 mins.); McWalter, Dicker, McDonnell, Ryan; P. Byrne (Doyle, 70 mins.), Sammon.

Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).