UCD booked their place in the fourth round of the FAI Ford Cup when goals in each half by Sean Russell and Stephen Doyle gave them the narrowest of victories over a brave Leinster Senior League side Cherry Orchard at the Belfield Bowl.

College almost grabbed the lead after just 30 seconds when defender Ciaran Nangle set up a chance for midfielder Paul O'Conor only to see his effort from the edge of the box brilliantly pushed away by Orchard 'keeper Keith Gallagher.

Striker Samir Belhout then had another chance on eight minutes only to shoot wide when well placed. The Students were dominant for long periods but unable to create the openings.

The Intermediate side did prove threatening on breakaways especially when striker Philip Sheppard fired a dipping shot just over the bar from 20 yards. Then Aidan Crowther shot inches wide of the target after sprinting past defender James Scallon.

But it was College who eventually had their noses in front on 37 minutes when O'Conor had a shot from 25 yards pushed out by Gallagher to allow 17 year old winger Sean Russell firing home the rebound from close range.

Belhout and Russell both went close to stretching the lead for the Students early in the second half only to be denied by excellent reflex saves in quck succession by the alert Gallagher.

The Orchard 'keeper was again the hero when blocking a deflected shot from O'Connor with his feet after Belhout had created the opening on the right. But Gallagher had no chance when College eventually strethed their lead on 67 minutes.

A Russell shot from 14 cards crashed off the underside of the crossbar and substitute Stephen Doyle was there to fire the rebound into the unguarded net. To their credit Orchard fought back and skipper Alan McNevin pulled a goal back on 80 minutes when heading home from close range.

College lived dangerously in the dying minutes when first Crowther had a shot blocked by 'keeper Ger Barron and from the rebound Sheppard was desperately unlucky when his effort rebounded off the crossbar to safety. Another Crowther effort was blocked by Barron with Orchard very unfortunate not to grab a late equaliser.

CHERRY ORCHARD - Gallagher; O'Sullivan (Brennan 83), Nataro, Roche (Byrne 79); McNeill, Curran, McNevin, Collins (P.O'Connor 64); Sheppard, Crowther.

UCD - Barron, Harding, Scallon, Leahy, Nangle; Marshall (Doyle 62), P.O'Conor, Corry, Meenan, Russell; Belhout (Morrison 70).

Referee - Damien Hancock (Dublin).