UCD secured a priceless victory at The Showgrounds on Saturday night. The only goal of an untidy contest came in the 72nd minute when Tony McDonnell marked his return after injury by forcing the ball home in a scramble .

UCD defended with great vigilance and counter-attacked intelligently. Indeed, they almost snatched a second five minutes from time when Ciarain Martyn burst into the penalty area before driving his shot inches wide.

Sligo enjoyed the greater share of possession, but created few clear-cut chances. Their best opportunity fell to Marcus Hallows after 11 minutes; but his stinging drive was brilliantly saved by Barry Ryan.

Sligo Rovers: Boswell, Callaghan, Hutchison, O'Grady, Birks, Charles, Jones, Flannery, Hallows, Hetherston, Rowlands. Subs: Shannon and Reid for Hetherston and Flannery (65 mins); Oates for Rowlands (80 mins).

UCD: Ryan, O'Donnell, Mahon, Lynch, Delaney, Martyn, Kavanagh, McLoughlin, O'Byrne, Bennis, Brett. Subs: Dunne for Brett (58 mins); Kilmurray for Bennis (60 mins).

Referee: T Tully (Cork).