For the second weekend in succession Shelbourne move back to the top of the Premier Division, for some 48 hours at least. Two late goals from James Keddy and substitute Gary Haylock ended UCD's five-game unbeaten run at Belfield last night.

Shelbourne, who were reduced to 10 men when Stephen Geoghegan was sent off in the second half, now await the result of Cork City's match tomorrow to see will they be leapfrogged at the top again.

UCD made sure the visitors worked hard for the points last night. John Martin made a number of threatening runs early in the game. Both Ken Kilmurray and Ciaran Kavanagh had early chances and Ciaran Martyn was also in bouncing form.

Shelbourne looked impressive when moving forward, but had to wait until the 34th minute for their first good chance when Richie Baker played his brother Dessie through. With only goalkeeper Barry Ryan to beat he slid the ball wide. Moments before half-time UCD had a chance to go ahead when Martyn was played into the box. However goalkeeper Steve Williams did well to block first time and again from Kilmurray's shot from the rebound.

A more determined Shelbourne attack at the start of the second half saw Keddy set up Geoghegan for a header which flew over. Five minutes later Aidan Lynch's back header was slightly short and allowed Geoghegan to take on the goalkeeper one-on-one, but Ryan was superb in getting his hand down to save.

This inspired Shelbourne, and within a few minutes UCD's Eamon McLoughlin was clearing the ball off the line after another close-range shot from Geoghegan. This led to a goalmouth scramble that momentarily turned nasty. Keddy was immediately booked - and Geoghegan was sent off two minutes later after the linesman alerted referee Pat Whelan to his punching in the incident.

Shelbourne grabbed the initiative on the 80-minute mark: substitute Gary Haylock started the move from 20 yards outside the box and a rebounded pass fell into Keddy's path. After a couple touches he lashed the ball into the top corner.

Haylock made sure of the three points a minute into added time when he followed a delightful ball from Dessie Baker and dribbled it past Ryan.

UCD: Ryan; McLaughlin, Mahon, Lynch, Delaney; Kavanagh, Mooney, Martyn; Kilmurray, O'Byrne, Martin. Subs: Bennis for Martin (70 mins); Hanrahan for O'Byrne (77 mins); O'Donnell for Delaney (88 mins).

SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, D Geoghegan, McCarthy, Scully; Doolin, Fenlon, R Baker, Keddy; D Baker, S Geoghegan. Subs: Van der Velden for Doolin (60 mins); Haylock for R Baker (78 mins); Byrne for D Geoghegan (86 mins).

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).