Struggling Longford Town were plunged deeper into relegation trouble when they went down to in-form UCD at Flancare Park on Saturday night.

The home side had much the better of the first-half exchanges, but had to wait until the 31st minute to break the deadlock.

Paul McNally made no mistake from the penalty spot, awarded after new-signing Fergal Coleman was brought down in the box, but Longford's joy was short-lived as College got back on level terms just four minutes later.

Slack marking was exposed by Robert Martin, who planted a spectacular strike from the edge of the box into the corner of the net, past helpless Town goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien.

UCD then hit the front in the 57th minute when a corner from Michael O'Donnell broke kindly for Paul Doolin and the player-manager slotted the ball to the net from a few yards out.

Longford were then dealt a real killer blow when UCD increased their advantage in the 74th minute through Robert Martin, who drove his shot past the stranded Stephen O'Brien for his second goal of the game.

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien, Murphy, Smith, McNally, W Byrne, Kirby, Perth, S Byrne, Prunty, Lavine, Coleman. Subs: O'Halloran for W Byrne (72 mins); Holt for Smith (72 mins); Gavin for Coleman (79 mins).

UCD: B Ryan, Keating, Delaney, McDonnell, D Ryan, J Martin, Doolin, McNally, O'Donnell, C Martyn, R Martin, Subs: Lynch for R Martin (76 mins); McCauley for O'Donnell (87 mins).

Referee: J Breen (Dublin)