A well executed goal by Mick O'Byrne in the 35th minute was scarcely enough to lift this match beyond mediocrity in front of a small crowd at Belfield yesterday.

UCD should have earned their first win in seven games in a more emphatic way against a Derry team decimated by injuries and suspension.

Eamonn McLoughlin was allowed time and space to whip over a cross and O'Byrne lost his marker to dive low at the near post to head past David Platt.

It might have been a more comfortable ride for the home side if O'Byrne had put away a gilt-edged opportunity after 30 seconds.

Played in by John Martin's clever footworked, O'Byrne failed to lift the ball over Platt.

Derry, missing Liam Coyle, Paul Hegarty, Sean Hargan and Johnny McIvor, started with five 20-year-olds and had only three substitutes on the bench: one of whom, Darren McCready, had to come on after 25 minutes because of an injury to Shaun Gallagher.

Derry rallied well in the second half, switching to three at the back as they chased the game, but to little avail as they hardly tested Barry Ryan in the UCD goal.

UCD for their part wasted a glorious chance in the 67th minute. Platt did well to save with his feet after Ciaran Martyn's fine run and Eoin Bennis had his subsequent header scrambled off the line.

UCD: Ryan; McLoughlin, Lynch, Delaney, Mahon; Martin, Kavanagh, Noonan, Martyn; O'Byrne, Bennis. Subs: Hanrahan for Noonan (71 mins), Dunne for Martin (77 mins).

DERRY CITY: Platt; McCallion, Hutton, D Kelly, Paddy McLaughlin; Moran, Doherty, Beckett, Gallagher; McCaul, McHugh. Subs: McCready for Gallagher (25 mins), Patrick McLaughlin (80 mins).

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).