UCD 1 Bohemians 0:A last-minute penalty from Conor Sammon stunned Bohemians at Belfield to end any lingering hopes of a title challenge from Dalymount Park this season.
In truth the result was harsh on Seán Connor's side, who had struck the UCD woodwork twice in a generally dominant display.
UCD stole the three points, however, as the watch ticked into the 90th minute with their first goal in five games to end four straight defeats. Conan Byrne broke into the box and was tripped by Des Byrne, leaving referee Anthony Buttimer little choice but to point to the spot.
The Bohemians goalkeeper Brian Murphy dived the right way but could not keep out Sammon's well struck spot kick.
Bohemians ran the second half, which was, thankfully, much better than a dreadful first, with UCD first having the woodwork to thank on the hour.
A sublime diagonal ball from Thomas Heary sent Owen Heary overlapping down the right and his half-volleyed side-foot shot came back off the College bar.
UCD then failed to clear substitute Mark Rossiter's free-kick into the area 11 minutes later and Thomas Heary drove a low shot off the butt of a post from all of 25 yards.
John Paul Kelly brought the best out of Darren Quigley on 87 minutes, the College goalkeeper tipping over his dipping shot from Darren Mansaram's cross before it all went wrong.
UCD:Quigley; Mahon, Kenna, McNally, Bermingham; Fitzgerald (Purcell, 84 mins), King, Crowley (McDonnell 75, mins), McWalter (Doyle, 70 mins); C Byrne, Sammon.
BOHEMIANS:Murphy; O Heary, Burns, Pooley, Byrne; Harkin (Rossiter, 70 mins), Rice, T Heary, Kelly; Crowe (Fenn, 75 mins), Mansaram.
Referee: A Buttimer(Cork).
