Late goals from Eric Smith and Shay Zellor gave newly-promoted Longford Town a fully deserved first home win in the Premier Division over a UCD side that continues to under-perform.

Central defender Smith's opening strike on 76 minutes was straight off the training ground as he out-jumped the UCD defence to meet Stephen Gavin's corner and head home.

The second goal, 10 minutes later, was equally direct as Zellor stretched to volley home first time from a pacey Colm Notaro ball into the UCD area.

Longford had gradually taken control of the game approaching half-time, though they had to survive a couple of scares from an only slightly rejuvenated UCD.

Chief of those came on 13 minutes when goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien had to extend himself fully to tip a well struck Robert McAuley free-kick onto his crossbar and out for a corner.

Shortly afterwards, Ciaran Kavanagh shot narrowly wide after a swift counter-attack.

Longford gradually settled and took the game to their visitors. As always, Keith O'Connor took his usual bruising in the Longford attack. Twice coming close early on, the bustling striker wasted a clear opening on 38 minutes when heading wide from Notaro's cross from the right.

Minutes earlier O'Connor had flicked on Gavin's cross for Notaro whose diving header looped over the UCD crossbar.

Longford Town: O'Brien; Murphy, Smith, McNally, W. Byrne; Gavin, Holt, S Byrne, Notaro; Zellor, O'Connor. Subs: E Kenny for McNally (69 mins), V Perth for Holt (74 mins), Coyle for O'Connor (88 mins).

UCD: Ryan; McLoughlin, Delaney, McAuley, O'Donnell; Mooney, Mahon, Kavanagh, Martin; Grogan, O'Byrne. Subs: Martyn for O'Donnell (62 mins), Lynch for Grogan (82 mins).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone)