UCD 1 Finn Harps 0: RONAN FINN'S composure brought his first goal of the season as UCD avenged a defeat back in March to earn a first win in 12 games to lift them over Finn Harps and out of the relegation zone.
The goal came on 56 minutes when Brian King's shot was deflected into Finn's path and the midfielder showed poise to shoot past Gavin Cullen from 10 yards.
Harps almost levelled within six minutes when Stephen Parkhouse's shot on the turn took a slight deflection to strike the bar.
Parkhouse had almost stolen the lead for Harps a minute into the second half when he forced the stop of the match from Matt Gregg with a header from Conor Gethins' free-kick.
That it took 32 minutes for either side to register a chance on goal will not have thrilled the paltry attendance of just 230.
Cullen had to make his first save of the night from King's 30-yard drive, before Derek Doyle put a header just off target.
Harps' goal then led a charmed life, surviving a double let-off three minutes before the interval.
Seán Harding's corner was met by the head of Doyle with right-back Seán Roddy executing a diving header off the line. The danger remained, though, and Alan McNally's follow-up header was saved by Cullen.
UCD: Gregg; Harding, McNally, Kenna, Bermingham; Fitzgerald, King, Finn, Doyle; Purcell (Reilly, 77 mins), McWalter (McMillan, 87 mins).
FINN HARPS: Cullen; Roddy (Funston, 76 mins), Malcolm, Boyle, Mukendi; Breen (Brolly, h/t), Shields, McGowan (Gill, 68 mins), Williams; Parkhouse, Gethins.
Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).
