ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC made it nine league games in a row unbeaten with a comprehensive victory over UCD at the UCD Bowl.

The Saints had an early chance when striker Daryl Kavanagh sent in a low cross from the left only for Danny North to shoot straight into the arms of 'keeper Ger Barron.

But the Inchicore men were not to be denied and had their noses in front on 12 minutes when another clever Kavanagh cross was touched on by defender Evan McMillan for winger Derek Doyle to shoot home from close range.

St Pat's again went close when North chipped a shot just over the bar after Jordan Keegan had created an opening on the left. The Students were under the cosh for most of the first half with North and Dave Mulcahy both going close.

Perhaps against the run of play, College were level on 31 minutes when the visitors failed to clear a corner by skipper Paul Corry. Winger Dean Marshall was allowed to send over a high cross from the right powerfully headed home by central defender David O'Connor giving 'keeper Gary Rogers no chance.

St Pat's might have had a penalty on 65 minutes when when defender Sean Harding appeared to take down Kavanagh inside the box - but referee Rob Rogers allowed play to continue. But Pete Mahon's men had their noses in front again just a minute later.

This time a corner by skipper Stephen Bradley on the left allowed Kavanagh to steal in with a glancing header from close range to the corner of the net with the home defence in disarray. 

The game was then all over as a contest on 82 minures when North drilled the ball home from the edge of the box after the always impressive Kavanagh had created a brilliant opening on the left.

It was a goal that only served to emphasis St Patrick's overall dominance against a UCD side who have now lost their fourth game in a row.

UCD - Barron; Harding (Morrison 78), D.O'Connor, T.Boyle , Nangle; Marshall, Corry, P.O'Conor, Benson (S.Doyle 66), Meenan; Rusk.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC - Rogers; Pender, E.McMillan, Shortall, Carroll; Keegan (Stewart 74), Bradley, Mulcahy, D Doyle (McFaul 59); Kavanagh (D McMillan 90), North.

Referee -  Rob Rogers (Dublin).