St Patrick’s Athletic climbed back to the top of the Premier Division after beating UCD 2-1 on Friday evening.

 

The wet conditions in Richmond Park ensured it was a game played a hectic pace with both sides struggling to keep hold of possession and create clear-cut chances.

 

However, there were still two goals to celebrate in the first-half with St Pat’s taking the lead on 17 minutes as defender Shane Guthrie netted his second of the season.

 

The goal came from a corner kick on the right side that was swung into the opposition penalty area by Brian Cash and the ball was allowed to bounce before Guthrie headed in.

 

That was a soft goal for the Students to concede, but they were back on level terms on 23 minutes following a neat counter attack that saw Chris Mulhall supply the finish.

 

Graham Rusk sparked the move as he breezed forward before passing to Ciaran Kilduff, whose shot was rebounded back to Rusk and he then spread the ball out to Mulhall to convert.

 

St Pat’s attempted to register a response, although their wayward shooting and inability to link play sufficiently meant they rarely tested keeper Billy Brennan.

 

Cash then tested the alertness of Brennan with a snap shot, while UCD substitute Sean Harding, who later went off injured, drilled a shot just wide.

 

But Guthrie proved to be the hero for the hosts when he powered in his second header of the evening on 81 minutes after Vinny Faherty’s original header was cleared off the line and straight to him.

 

Having lost to Shamrock Rovers last week, Pete Mahon will be delighted that his side responded in the best possible way even if it wasn’t always pleasing on the eye.

 

St Patrick’s Athletic: Rogers; Pender, Kenna, Guthrie, Lynch; Cash (Faherty 77), Mulcahy (McAllister 61), S Byrne, Doyle; Guy, P Byrne (North 88).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Hunt, Haverty.

 

UCD: Brennan; Shortall (Harding 52, Creevy 71), E McMillan, Boyle, Nangle; O’Conor, Corry, Rusk; Wilson, Kilduff, Mulhall (Ward 62).

 

Substitutes Not Used: Barron, Roche.

 

Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).