St Patrick's Athletic 0 UCD 0: ST PATRICK'S increased their lead at the top of the Premier Division table, but not by the three points they had hoped for as UCD held them to a draw in a game the home side dominated.

St Pat's enjoyed enough chances to seal full points but came up against a resolute UCD who were only too glad to soak up the pressure.

St Pat's were in command from the start and when Gary O'Neill sent a fine cross into the box on 11 minutes, excellent defending by Brian Shortall cleared the danger before Mark Quigley could get a touch. It fell to Alan Kirby, but his shot was well blocked.

Ryan Guy should have done better on 21 minutes when he collected a ball on the right wing, but he failed to connect properly and his shot flew high and over the bar.

UCD were playing a very defensive game with just Paul Byrne up front. With 10 bodies behind the ball, St Patrick's were forced to resort to several long-range efforts, the best coming from Dessie Byrne and Gary Dempsey.

They took the same route again on 36 minutes when O'Neill tried his luck from 25 yards out, but Matt Gregg was well placed and saw the danger in plenty of time to make the save.

St Patrick's continued the second period where they had left off in the first with several more long-range efforts.

The pick came on 58 minutes when Quigley struck an excellent shot from the left which drew a confident save from Gregg.

On 65 minutes Kirby struck the crossbar with a close-range shot from the right that Gregg got a hand on.

Seven minutes later Gary O'Neill was well-placed but he shot tamely at Gregg.

ST PATRICK'S: Barry Ryan, Brennan, D Byrne, Kirby (Bobby Ryan 65mins), Fahey, O'Neill, Quigley, Dempsey, Haverty, Guy, Paisley.

UCD: Gregg, Mahon, Bermingham, Kenna, Shortall (Bolger h-t), King, Finn (Purcell 65mins), McNally, P Byrne, Doyle (Harding 77mins), McWalter.

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).