AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: UCD 1 Dundalk 1UCD STAY rooted to the foot of the Premier Division despite earning a draw against fellow strugglers Dundalk in a dull encounter at a wind-swept Belfield Bowl last night.

The Students had an early chance when Paul Corry found Dean Clarke on the left and his low cross was screwed just wide by striker Robbie Benson.

Dundalk came close to breaking the deadlock on 25 minutes when a corner by Nathan Murphy on the right was headed wide by central defender Luke Danville.

The visitors were forced into a substitution on 28 minutes when goalkeeper Ger Hanley was injured in a collision with incoming striker Benson. Peter Cherrie took over in goal.

The Oriel Park men were in front on 35 minutes when a Paul Walsh cross enabled winger Murphy to climb above the defence for a superb glancing header from 12 yards giving goalkeeper John Kelly no chance.

College were level on 49 minutes when a Corry corner on the right allowed Ciarán Nangle to get in a perfect header pushed out by Cherrie, only for Benson to fire home the rebound.

After Mark Langtry was yellow-carded for a foul, Dundalk went close to restoring their lead when the ensuing free by Mark Griffin deflected off the College wall just wide of the target.

Substitute Chris Lyons should have given College the lead on 80 minutes after Corry created the opening through the middle but his weak finish was comfortably saved by Cherrie.

Both sides had chances of a late winner only for Langtry to fire wide for the Students and Gary Shanahan off target for Dundalk.

UCD: Kelly; Langtry, Leahy, D.O'Connor, Nangle; Mulhall (Douglas 76), P.O'Conor, Corry, Clarke (McNelis 51); Benson, Morrison (Lyons 73).

DUNDALK: Hanley (Cherrie 28); Foran, Danville (McDonnell 82), Burns, Osborne; Walsh, Shields, Mountney, Murphy (Watts 59); Shanahan, Griffin.

Referee: P McLaughlin(Monaghan).