Ronan Finn's composure brought his first goal of the season as UCD avenged a defeat back in March to earn a first win in twelve games to lift them over Finn Harps and out of the relegation zone.
The goal came on 56 minutes when Brian King's shot was deflected into Finn's path and the midfielder showed good poise to shoot past Gavin Cullen from ten yards.
Harps almost levelled within six minutes when Stephen Parkhouse's shot on the turn took a slight deflection to strike the UCD bar.
Parkhouse had almost stolen the lead for Harps a minute into the second half when bringing the stop of the match from Matt Gregg when a header from Conor Gethins' free-kick.
The fact it took 32 minutes for either side to register a chance on goal will hardly have excited the paltry attendance of just 230.
That fell to Harps with Gethins' shot on the turn from Parkhouse's knock down bringing a comfortable diving save from Gregg.
Stirred by that let-off, UCD finished the half well on top.Cullen had to make his first save of the night from King's 30-yard drive before Derek Doyle put a header just off target from King's corner.
Harps' goal then led a charmed life, surviving a double let-off three minutes before the interval.
Sean Harding's corner was met by the head of Doyle with right-back Sean Roddy executing a diving header off the line. The danger remained, though, and Alan McNally's follow-up header was saved by Cullen.
UCD: Gregg; Harding, McNally, Kenna, Bermingham; Fitzgerald, King, Finn, Doyle; Purcell (Reilly, 77 mins.), McWalter (McMillan, 87 mins.).
Finn Harps: Cullen; Roddy (Funston, 76 mins.), Malcolm, Boyle, Mukendi; Breen (Brolly, h/t), Shields, McGowan (Gill, 68 mins.), Williams; Parkhouse, Gethins.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
