Adam McDonnell led by example in scoring twice as Sligo Rovers beat UCD for the first time this season to get last week's tame showing against Shamrock Rovers out of their system.
The Sligo captain scored in each half to lift Sligo back up to fifth place in the table as UCD, who had taken five points off the Bit O’ Red in their previous three meetings this campaign, couldn’t take advantage of Finn Harps' defeat at Derry City as they remain bottom.
With three changes from last week's 3-1 home humbling, Sligo enjoyed plenty of early possession, working Kian Moore on six minutes.
A weak clearance from home skipper Jack Keaney ran kindly for Colm Horgan whose crisply struck low drive was well held by the College keeper.
UCD soon found their feet with veteran Sligo keeper Richard Brush having to get down well to save from Sean Brennan after a surging run from Dylan Duffy stretched the visitors’ defence.
But it was Moore who would make the first telling save of the night on 14 minutes, back-pedalling to tip over a looping header from Aidan Keena who had been picked out superbly by Rob Burton.
Moore was helpless five minutes later, however, when sloppy play all but gifted Sligo the lead.
Keaney gave the ball away cheaply close to halfway. Sligo still had plenty to do, though, as Keena skipped forward to play in McDonnell who was coolness personified as he chipped the ball over Moore for a composed finish.
Sligo remained the better side into the second half, with Moore coming to UCD’s rescue again five minutes in.
Again UCD lost possession in midfield with Will Fitzgerald breaking forward to slide a pass through for Keena.
And though the striker nicked the ball past Moore, the keeper recovered well to grasp it at Keena’s feet.
But there was to be no reprieve five minutes later.
Burton found the run of McDonnell who rounded Moore and rolled the ball to the net for another fine finish to treble his goals tally for the season.
UCD’s frustrating night was compounded on 72 minutes when manager Andy Myler was sent from the dugout for the second time this season for dissent.
UCD: Kian Moore; Alex Dunne (Johnny Haist 86), Jack Keaney, Sam Todd, Evan Osam (Harry O’Connor 68); Sean Brennan (Aaron Corish 68), Evan Caffrey; Alex Nolan (Donal Higgins 53), Dara Keane, Dylan Duffy; Tommy Lonergan.
Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush; Colm Horgan (Lewis Banks 36), Nando Pijanker,Shane Blaney (Eanna Clancy 83), Paddy Kirk; Rob Burton (Seems Keogh 88), Niall Morahan (Kailin Barlow 83); Frank Liivak, Adam McDonnell, Will Fitzgerald; Aidan Keena.
Referee: Oliver Moran (Dublin).
