St Patrick's Athletic - 0 UCD - 0: St Patrick's Athletic were unable to ease their relegation worries as UCD took a scarcely deserved point from this scrappy Premier Division Dublin derby at Richmond Park last night.
The result extends the St Patrick's winless streak to 12 games and leaves John McDonnell's men five points ahead of second-from-bottom Waterford United, although it must be noted United have a match in hand and play hosts to St Patrick's next Friday.
In an uneventful opening quarter clear-cut chances were at a premium although a clever pass from UCD's Gary Dicker almost unhinged the St Patrick's defence before Brian Gannon's run was halted.
St Patrick's created a chance in the sixth minute when Gerard Rowe darted down the left flank before firing a cross towards Glen Larsen who was unable to make contact.
The hosts spurned a terrific chance to seize the initiative just after the half hour mark when Vinny Perth pulled the ball back for Rowe who hammered a powerful shot goalward.UCD veteran Mick O'Donnell managed to make a telling interception on the goalline before the ball bobbled back into the path of Rowe but his follow-up flew over the upright.
Boosted by that attack St Patrick's surged forward minutes later with Larsen supplying a precise pass for Rowe, but he inexplicably chose to dummy the ball with the gaping goal at his mercy.
Then on the stroke of half-time Darragh Maguire went close for St Patrick's when he connected with a probing cross from Barry Prenderville. However, his header flew just wide of the post.
Although St Patrick's were dominant after the interval they seldom struck the target, Perth struck a tame effort before Robbie Doyle fired over two speculative attempts and then a free-kick which required a fine fingertip save from Darren Quigley.
St Patrick's survived a scare with eight minutes remaining when the otherwise idle Barry Ryan pulled off a wonderful block to deny substitute Conan Byrne.
The play quickly swung to the opposite end where Quigley kept his clean sheet intact when he denied Prenderville.
While UCD are guaranteed to be playing Premier Division football next season, the prognosis is not so positive for St Patrick's as they face into games away to Derry City and Cork City.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Frost, Caffrey, Maguire, Prenderville; Doyle, Perth, Reilly (Foley 64 mins), Brennan (Quigley 84 mins); Larsen (O'Connor 81 mins), Rowe.
UCD: Quigley; Mahon, T O'Donnell, Kenna, M O'Donnell; Dicker, Hurley, Gannon (Byrne 67 mins), Doyle (Murphy 67 mins); McWalter, Martin.
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin)
