A controversial Chris Lyons penalty and a fine late second goal from Evan Weir stretched Drogheda United's unbeaten run to five games with their third win of the season.
Livid at the concession of the spot kick, having felt they might have had one themselves minutes earlier, UCD remain without a win and three points adrift at the foot of the table.
College were dealt a blow in the build up to the game with inspirational skipper Jack Keaney ruled out for a number of weeks having broken a bone in his left hand.
Sam Todd wore the armband while Sean Brennan came into midfield in the Students' only change from their 2-2 draw at Sligo Rovers last week.
With Weir returning to the left-back berth in place of Keith Cowan in their only change from their home draw with Bohemians last time out, Drogheda began the brighter.
Despite enjoying a good deal of the ball, though, the visitors struggled in the final third before it was UCD who carved the first opening of a scrappy start on 19 minutes.
Donal Higgins threaded a precise ball through for the run of Evan Caffrey who took a heavy touch as the ball ran wide when he might have done better.
It was the 24th minute before Drogheda tested Lorcan Healy in the UCD goal, Dayle Rooney’s shot from distance tipped round a post by the home keeper.
With UCD dangerous on the counter, Drogheda survived a couple of let-offs just before the half hour when drives from Dylan Duffy and Caffrey in turn were deflected out for corners.
Rooney’s inventiveness was proving to be Drogheda’s chief threat and the winger came close again on 32 minutes.
Chris Lyons and Georgie Poynton worked the opening, the latter’s pullback picking out Rooney in the area whose improvised back-heel flashed wide.
Rooney then galloped clear on the left to cross for Lyons whose shot on the turn Healy got done well to hold.
At the other end, Sam Long also showed a safe pair of hands to grasp a well-struck 30-yard free kick from Duffy as the game laboured to spark to life.
Ryan Brennan replaced James Clarke at half-time for Drogheda and almost made an immediate impact four minutes in when his dipping volley from distance was batted away one-handed by Healy.
Minutes later Rooney rattled the frame of the goal with a thumping free kick from 35 yards.
With the game finally alive and kicking, UCD had claims for a penalty not entertained when Todd appeared to be pushed to ground inside the area.
It was end to end fare now with Rooney slipping Brennan in to rifle narrowly wide on the hour.
UCD were then left hopping mad when Drogheda took the lead from a penalty on 61 minutes.
In trying to clear a Poynton corner, Sean Brennan was adjudged somewhat harshly to have handled the ball off his upper arm as he tried to bring it under control.
Referee Adriano Reale pointed to the spot with Lyons sending Healy the wrong way from 12 yards.
UCD worked hard to get back into it and were inches from levelling on 84 minutes.
Duffy and Collie Whelan combined to set up substitute Lennon Gill who drilled his shot just wide.
Long then produced the save of the night when diving low to stop Duffy’s low drive.
Weir then sealed Drogheda’s win on 89 minutes, collecting Rooney’s pass to take a good touch and turn to shoot home from a tight angle.
UCD: Lorcan Healy; Alex Dunne (John Ryan 34), Michael Gallagher, Sam Todd, Evan Osam; Sean Brennan; Liam Kerrigan (Alex Nolan 67), Donal Higgins (Lennon Gill 73), Evan Caffrey, Dylan Duffy; Colm Whelan.
Drogheda United: Sam Long; Andrew Quinn, Sean Roughan, Dane Massey, Evan Weir; Gary Deegan, James Clarke (Ryan Brennan h-t); Georgie Poynton, Darragh Nugent (Luke Heeney 90), Dayle Rooney; Chris Lyons.
Referee: Adriano Reale (Kildare).
