Predictably, as the previous three meetings had done, this game ended in a draw, a result of marginal use to either side in their quests at opposite ends of the league.

Desperate for their first win in eight games, UCD nonetheless belied their failure in not yet winning any of the seven Dublin derbies they have played this season by taking the game to Rovers early on, forcing five corners alone in the opening 15 minutes. Little came of the students' initial probings, however, Robbie Horgan snuffing out half-chances that fell to Robert McAuley and Ciaran Martyn.

Ironically, having scarcely been in the game, Rovers might have been 2-0 up within 25 minutes. Both openings fell to striker Tony Grant. The first, a powerful header from a Billy Woods corner, cannoned back off the crossbar while Grant then turned onto a Sean Francis throw to shoot just wide.

In an eventful game goalkeepers excelled to prevent certain goals in quick succession. First Horgan parried a fierce drive from Kevin Grogan and his opposite number Barry Ryan then had to be brave to smother at the feet of Francis.

The game faded slightly before being given the jolt of a goal three minutes into first-half injury-time.

Not surprisingly, on the balance of play, it fell to UCD. Having defended setpieces reasonably well up to that point, Rovers allowed Tony McDonnell to win a header from Grogan's free-kick to set up 19year-old Glen Fitzpatrick, making his first league start of the season, to head home his first goal in over two years.

Rovers wasted little time in equalising and were level within two minutes of the restart. Grant again caused the UCD defence problems. His cross was fired in on goal by Pascal Vaudequin, and though Delaney cleared off the line, Robinson reacted well to scoop the ball into the net.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Horgan; Smith, Palmer, Cronin, Woods; Vaudequin, Robinson, Kavanagh, Byrne; Grant, Francis. Sub: Stewart for Vaudequin (83 mins).

UCD: Ryan; Mahon, Delaney, McDonnell, McLoughlin; Bennis, Martyn, Kavanagh, McAuley; Grogan, Fitzpatrick. Subs: J Martin and O'Donnell for Bennis and McAuley (both 79 mins), R Martin for Grogan (87 mins).

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).