Cork City's inability to win their home matches was again evident at Turners Cross on Saturday when they struggled to hold UCD and maintain their hopes of finishing third in the league.

The result means Cork have had to settle for six draws in their last eight league matches and it is a sequence that has cost them hopes of a championship win and has also put their prospects of clinching a European spot for next season at risk.

UCD had hopes of ousting Cork from third position in the league before the match and they will consider themselves unlucky not to have done so. They dominated the second half of a lively game but were frustrated by a magnificent performance by Cork goalkeeper Noel Mooney who made marvellous saves in one-on-one situations from Fitzpatrick, Kilmurray and Ciaran Martyn.

Cork's centre forward Pat Morley did maintain his position as leading goalscorer in the championship by claiming his 15th of the season after 34 minutes. A free from Colin O'Brien found Mark Herrick and his low cross from the left side of the penalty area was turned in by Morley.

UCD deserved their equaliser after 55 minutes. Brian Mooney's corner from the right found Robert McAulty totally unmarked and he headed home.

CORK CITY: Mooney, O'Halloran, Coughlan, Daly, Napier, C O'Brien, L O'Brien, Herrick, Cahill, Morley, Dobbs. Subs: Freyne and Caulfield for L O'Brien and Dobbs (69 mins), Glynn for Morley (80 mins).

UCD: Ryan, McLaughlin, Delaney, McAuley, Mahon, Mooney, Kavanagh, Martyn, Martin, Fitzpatrick, Kilmurry. Subs: Bennis for Fitzpatrick (76 mins).

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).