Dundalk held on for three priceless points in their pursuit of an immediate return to the League of Ireland's top flight, thanks to this vital 3-2 victory over UCD in Oriel Park.
This result now leaves Ciaran Kilduff’s side six points clear of second-placed Cobh Ramblers in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division with three games left in the pursuit of promotion.
UCD’s Louis Dignam gave UCD the lead after 21 minutes against the run of play, but two penalties either half from Dundalk’s Gbemi Arubi, and a flicked header from Eoin Kenny, saw Dundalk secure a much needed victory, despite a late reply from UCD’s Jake Doyle.
Determined to make amends for their disappointing defeat against Longford Town last time out, Dundalk’s pressing of their opponents in the final saw them cause the visitors early problems, with youngster Sean Spaight’s early drive pushed aside by UCD keeper Dara Kavanagh.
At the other end UCD skipper Eanna Clancy’s downward header from an Adam Brennan free kick was held by Peter Cherrie.
That early pressing from the Lillywhites and in particularly Gbemi Arubi, almost led to the opening goal. After the striker cut out a clearance from Kavanagh, the ball fell loose to Declan McDaid, but his scuffed effort from 20 yards was comfortably saved by a relieved UCD keeper.
Arubi was involved in the next opening for Dundalk, when a nice reverse pass in behind the UCD cover found Eoin Kenny who beat keeper Kavanagh to the ball, but was unable to keep his effort down, as he skied it over the bar from 12 yards.
Dundalk’s next effort on goal once again saw Arubi collect a JR Willson pass from the right wing, before driving a half volley narrowly wide.
Despite this early Lillywhite pressure, it was UCD who took the lead against the run of play.
A nice switch of play by Adam Verdon from left to right, saw him pick out the lively Michael McCullagh on the right wing, before a reverse pass found Louis Dignam who slotted the ball to the bottom corner to give the Students a 1-0 lead, silencing a stunned home crowd.
Despite this, Dundalk continued to dominate, and a Aodh Dervin turnover high up the pitch saw UCD’s Kavanagh forced to push aside a low drive by Arubi after referee Lucas Kavanagh awarded the advantage.
Dundalk’s pressure eventually paid off with Gbemi Arubi unsurprisingly involved. A one two between himself and Declan McDaid saw Arubi adjudged to have been fouled by goal scorer Dignam, despite strong UCD claims that he won the ball.
Arubi fired the penalty to the net to level things up for Dundalk, which was still no less than what the home side deserved.
The second half saw Andy Paraschiv off target with two shots from close range for the home side, before Kavanagh denied McDaid from close range following a quick free kick.
Dundalk were awarded another penalty by referee Keating after McDaid was dragged down by Eanna Clancy, which was again dispatched confidently to the net by the outstanding Arubi to give Dundalk a 2-1 lead on 63 minutes.
After UCD went close to equalising through sub Killian Calloice following another long switch of play, Dundalk increased their lead thanks to Eoin Kenny whose deft header from a Daryl Horgan cross left Dundalk 3-1 to the good on 72 minutes.
However, three minutes later, the home supporters were left living on their nerves again when Jake Doyle headed a Killian Calloice free kick to the bottom corner to make it 3-2 and left it game very much on.
Despite this, Dundalk held out with UCD failing to threaten the home side’s side goal, despite five minutes of added time being awarded, aside from a few blocked efforts from range which was enough to leave the home fans biting nails.
This result leaves First Division leaders Dundalk needing just one win and a draw from their last three games to secure a swift return to the Premier Division at the first time of asking.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; JR Wilson, Vinny Leonard, Conor O’Keefe, Sean Spaight (Shane Treacy 71); Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome (Daryl Horgan HT), Andy Paraschiv, Declain McDaid (Rohan Vaughan 71), Eoin Kenny (Luke Mulligan 93); Gbemi Arubi.
UCD: Dara Kavannagh; Adam Wells, Eanna Clancy, Declan Osagie, Brian McManus; Michael McCullagh (Ciaran Behan 65) Jake Doyle, Adam Verdon (Michael Raggett 85), Adam Brennan, Louis Dignam (Ronan Finn 65), Hugh Smith (Killian Cailloce 65).
Referee: Lucas Keating.
Meanwhile, Cobh Ramblers were 4-1 winners at home to Finn Harps to keep the pressure on Dundalk.
The home side raced into a three goal lead thanks to Barry Coffey's first half hat-trick. Hans Mpongo pulled one back for Harps five minutes before the break but Cobh restored their three-goal advantage late on following Cian Bargary's goal.
Bray Wanderers remain third but went down 2-0 against Longford Town at the Carlisle Grounds with Dean George and Stefan Ugbesia on target in each half for the visitors, who are up to seventh above Finn Harps.
Treaty United hold the final promotion play-off place but their 1-1 draw at Kerry, coupled with Wexford's 2-1 triumph at bottom side Athlone Town means the gap between fifth and sixth has been whittled down to just one point.
