A stunning goal from Michael O'Byrne was worthy of winning any game though all it gave UCD at Belfield yesterday was the consolation of saving a point.

O'Byrne struck for his third goal of the season 11 minutes from time when literally picking his spot to finally beat Waterford goalkeeper Michael Devine with a perfectly placed curling right foot shot from all of 25 yards to give UCD no more than they deserved.

Having trailed from a self-inflicted first-half goal, UCD might then have gone on to win the match; Waterford goal-scorer Karl Gannon clearing off the line from a Ciaran Martyn shot minutes later while O'Byrne had another goal disallowed for offside.

O'Byrne's candidate for goal of the season also saved the blushes of his goalkeeper, Barry Ryan, who, for the second week running, cost his side a lead goal.

It appeared a simple catch as Ryan came to collect Dave Kelleher's cross in from the left. Ryan clearly took his eye of the ball and failed to hold it; Gannon gratefully accepted the loose ball to shoot home.

It was harsh on UCD who had effectively run the game in the first-half.

On the rebound from last week's timid display against Bohemians, UCD reshuffled, reverting to a flat back four with four in midfield. It clearly worked and they outplayed Waterford for long spells.

UCD upped their game in the final quarter and got their reward with O'Byrne, who two minutes earlier, looped a header over, scoring his glorious goal to rescue a point.

UCD: Ryan; Mahon, Delaney, Lynch, Brett; Bennis, Kavanagh, Martyn, O'Donnell; O'Byrne, Fitzpatrick. Subs: McLoughlin for O'Connell (25 mins), Kilmurray for Fitzpatrick (77 mins).

Waterford United: Devine; Smith, Riordan, McGrath, Kelleher; Gannon, Reynolds, Harkin, Griffin; Brown, Wood. Subs: Dully for Griffin (half-time).

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).