National League/UCD 2; Derry City 0: UCD's determination and commitment to overcoming the dreadful start they had to the league campaign and surviving to stay in the Premier Division was clearly evident in this vital win at Belfield Park last night.

In this relegation battle of the two clubs at the bottom of the table the students were clearly the better side and deserved the three crucial points, which narrowed the gap on their Northern rivals.

UCD made a sensational start with the lead goal after only two minutes. It came from an Alan McAuley penalty after Kevin Deery was adjudged to have pushed UCD's captain, Tony McDonnell, as a corner kick came into the area, and McAuley made no mistake with the spot kick.

Humours were fractious in those early stages and UCD had both McAuley and Robbie Martin booked in quick succession.

But Martin had the last laugh when he fired in a cracking shot from the edge of the Derry box for UCD's second goal, in the 20th minute.

The students might have scored a little earlier when in the 10th minute Mick O'Donnell sent Mark Rooney away on the left but O'Donnell completely missed his kick in front of goal when Rooney's return pass came in from the wing.

It was indicative of the difficulties Derry are having this season that it was not until the 66th minute that they had their first real attempt on goal when a shot by Kieran Martyn caused slight panic in the UCD defence.

UCD: Jennings, Sullivan, McNally, McAuley, Ryan, Whelan, Cawley, McDonnell, O'Donnell, Martin, Rooney. Subs: Griffin for Rooney 73 mins; Gallen for Martyn 85; McWalter for Whelan 90 mins.

DERRY CITY: Gough, McCallion, Molyneaux, Hutton, Hargan, Deery, Martyn, Doherty, Friars, Beckett, McGlynn. Subs: Holt for Friars 35 mins; Coyle for Hargan 65 mins.

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford)