UCD 0 Dundalk 2: Inspired by second-half goals from the in-form Patrick Hoban and Richie Towell, Dundalk moved to the top of the Premier Division for the first time this season with a well deserved victory over UCD at Belfield.

Darren Meenan and Towell had chances early on for Dundalk. After 20 minutes UCD’s Robbie Creevy supplied the opening for Craig Walsh whose deflected effort was pushed over the bar by Dundalk keeper Peter Cherrie.

But Dundalk almost grabbed the lead on 32 minutes when a corner by Meenan on the right was narrowly headed wide of the target by Gartland.

Meenan then had a fierce drive from the right brilliantly saved by Barron before Hoban shot just over as the visitors piled on the pressure.

Early in the second half striker Kurtis Byne shot narrowly wide for Dundalk from 14 yards after Mark Rossiter had carved open the home defence.

The students were rocked on 61 minutes when substitute Michael Kelly, on the pitch for just four minutes, was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Stephen O’Donnell almost broke the deadlock with a snap shot from 25 yards. But O’Donnell’s cross from the left on 67 minutes was side-footed home from six yards by Hoban for his 12th league goal of the season.

Towell sealed up the points on 83 minutes when he fired home a spectacular shot into the corner of the net.

UCD : Barron; Matthews, O'Connor, Leahy (Kelly 57), T.Boyle; Clarke, Creevy, Walsh (McCabe 88), Russell; Benson, Belhout (Morrison 56).

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Rossiter, Gartland, A.Boyle, Massey (Keegan 90); Shields, O'Donnell, Towell; Meenan, Hoban (Faherty 88), Byrne (Mulvenna 80).

Referee: Tomas Connolly (Dublin).