UCD stayed two points clear at the top of the First Division after a scoreless draw with closest challengers Waterford United in a game dominated by defences at the Belfield Bowl last night.

 

Both sides had early chances when first Waterford striker David Grincell shot just wide from the edge of the box after a neat interchange of passes with Kevin Waters. Then a snap shot from long range by David McMillan was over the bar for College.

 

The Students might have broken the deadlock midway through the first half when the normally reliable Ciaran Kilduff blazed over from 14 yards after David McMillan set up the chance. Moments later midfielder Robbie Creevy headed wide after a cross from the right by Keith Ward.

 

Kilduff had a shot straight at 'keeper Mick Devine just before the interval after Robbie Creevy had created the opening. But that was one of the few chances in a first half dominated by both sets of defences.

 

Creevy had a shot excellently blocked by Devine on 55 minutes after Ward again caused problems for the visitors on the right. But Waterford were quick to react when Joe Mulcahy supplied a perfect pass only for John Kearney to shoot just wide of the upright.

 

College lived dangerously when 'keeper Gerard Barron produced a brilliant double reaction save in the goalmouth after a Paul McCarthy cross from the left caused chaos in the home defence. Both sides did have late chances when McMillan twice went close for the home side and Grincell again shot wide for the visitors.

 

UCD: Barron; Matthews (Nangle 72) , Boyle, E.McMillan, Shortall; Ward (Purcell 89), Creevy, Finn, Mulhall; Kilduff, D.McMillan (McMahon 71).

 

Waterford Utd: Devine; Carey, Browne, Murray, Long; Mulcahy (Woodgate 75), McCarthy (Dunphy 78), Kearney, Waters (Fitzgerald 86); Kiely, Grincell.

 

Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare).