Clive Delaney earned UCD a point they hardly deserved with a last-minute equaliser at Richmond Park.
The tall defender showed the poaching attributes of a striker to latch onto a Mick O'Byrne through ball following an Eamonn McLoughlin free-kick to catch the home defence square and run through to sidefoot past Shay Kelly.
Martin Russell's stunning goal on 56 minutes looked to have given the more skilful St Patrick's the three points they thoroughly deserved. The former Irish under-21 international beat UCD goalkeeper Barry Ryan with his moment of magic from a 200-yard free-kick.
Ryan had frustrated St Patrick's until then - he even saved a penalty - but could only stand and admire as Russell curled his left-foot shot round the wall and into the top corner.
Ryan's penalty save came after he pulled down Paul Osam at his near post. The goalkeeper dived to his right to push away debutant Michael Holt's left-footed spot kick.
St Patrick's Athletic: Kelly, Burke, S McGuinness, Foley, Doyle, R McGuinness, Croly, Osam, Russell Harris, Holt. Subs: Hallows for Holt (76 mins); Harte for Osam (84 mins); McCarthy for Russell (87 mins).
UCD: Ryan, McLoughlin, Delaney, McAuley, O'Donnell, Martyn, Kavanagh, Lynch, Mooney, O'Byrne, Grogan. Subs: Kilmurray for Martyn (72 mins).
Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).
