James Clarke scored his first goal for Bohemians, though they should have won by more in seeing off UCD at Dalymount Park.
A third win from four league games lifts Bohemians up to fifth in the table. Defeat sees UCD drop back down to the bottom on goal difference.
After a minute's applause was observed for their former director of sport Brian Mullins, who passed away earlier in the day, UCD started prominently, Dylan Duffy whipping a free-kick onto the roof of Tadhg Ryan’s net after just two minutes.
While Bohemians created a chance when Jamie Mullins’ touch let him down when he looked to be in behind from Jordan Doherty’s cross, UCD had started the better, spurning a glorious chance on 11 minutes.
Dara Keane’s tenacity got him to the end line on the right to cross. Alex Nolan’s hurried volley flashed wide when he had the time and space to have done better.
It was the 23rd minute before the home side came alive.
Midfielder Clarke skipped by several defenders down the inside-left channel before picking out Mullins, who shot into the side netting.
A poor defensive header from Alex Dunne then gifted Bohs winger Kris Twardek a shooting opportunity he didn’t decline.
UCD, and Dunne in particular, were thankful Kian Moore was equal to the stinging left-foot shot to acrobatically tip it over the top.
Twardek got another sight of goal minutes later from Declan McDaid’s pass. UCD skipper Jack Keaney bravely got his body in the way to block the powerful drive.
Well on top now, you sensed a goal was coming for Bohemians and it duly arrived on 40 minutes.
A surging run from the back by Rory Feely opened up the visitors’ defence. The centre-half threaded a pace in for Clarke who confidently slipped the ball past Moore.
Bohemians remained on the front foot into the second half, forcing Moore into his second fine save of the match two minutes in from skipper Jordan Flores’ free-kick.
Declan McDaid just couldn’t connect with a terrific ball across the face of the UCD goal from the impressive Twardek.
It was the 59th minute before UCD got a shot on target, Ryan comfortably behind Dylan Duffy’s effort from the edge of the area.
A minute later Moore had to rescue the Students again.
Clarke dinked Ethon Varian in on goal. Moore standing up well to make the save.
With the game opened up, Bohemians had some defending to do on 65 minutes, Ciaran Kelly blocking substitute Donal Higgins shot with Duffy firing the rebound over the crossbar.
But the clearcut chances continued to come at the opposite end, though, Flores guilty of a bad miss when rifling wide after McDaid slipped him through on goal.
UCD finished with 10 men, Michael Gallagher sent off for a second booking in the 80th minute.
Moore continued to keep the score down deep in stoppage time with another good save from substitute Ali Coote; Keaney clearing Doherty's follow-up off the line.
Bohemians: Tadhg Ryan; Jordan Doherty, Rory Feely, Ciaran Kelly, Max Murphy; Jordan Flores (James McManus 71), James Clarke; Kris Twardek, Jamie Mullins (Ali Coote 57), Declan McDaid; Ethon Varian (Liam Burt 78).
UCD: Kian Moore; Alex Dunne (John Haist 71), Michael Gallagher, Jack Keaney, Evan Osam; Evan Caffrey, Sean Brennan (Donal Higgins 63); Dylan Duffy, Dara Keane, Alex Nolan (Harry O’Connor 84); Tommy Lonergan.
Referee: Ray Matthews (Midlands).
