Finn Harps 2 - 0 UCD

IT'S very much advantage Finn Harps in the battle to avoid relegation after the Ballybofey side recorded a thoroughly deserved two-nil win over fellow strugglers UCD at a wet and windy Finn Park tonight.

David Tyrell netted a spectacular opener for Paul Hegarty's side on 15 minutes, but the Donegal men had to wait until stoppage time for the deal to be closed as Chris Breen wrapped up the points. Goalkeeper Matt Gregg had kept UCD in the match with a string of vital saves and the home crowd feared at times as if missed chances would prove fatal before Breen rounded off a good evening at the office for the home side.

While UCD had their moments, Harps were deserving victors after turning in a hard-working and determined display and the reward for that is three points that moves them four clear of the drop zone.

Having been left to settle for a place among the subs last week, Stephen Parkhouse returned to the Harps starting line-up on tonight. With Conor Gethins sidelined for over a month with a hamstring injury that forced him out of last weekend's North West derby, it was left to Chris Breen to partner him in attack.

In the second alteration made by Paul Hegarty, the suspended Marc Brolly was replaced by David Tyrell. And it was the on-loan Shamrock Rovers winger who handed Harps the perfect start after just fifteen minutes in when his cracking shot from all of 40 yards sailed in over the head of Matt Gregg.

Tyrell had an earlier effort from out on the left flank that was wide of the mark, but effort number two was executed to perfection for his first Harps goal. On another night, Tyrell might have had a hat-trick, but his 30th minute snap-shot from the edge of the box crashed off the underside of the bar and bounced to safety.

UCD boss Pete Mahon was forced to plan without Brian King and ex Harps man Darren Meenan with the suspended duo's places filled by Shane McFaul and Ronan Finn.

Though it took the Students some time to create an opening, it was they who finished the stronger in the first half with Pat McWalter and Shane Fitzgerald to the fore. It was a powerful cross by McWalter that forced James Gallagher into action for the first time, but the Harps goalkeeper was able to parry it away.

UCD could have been level on 37 minutes, only for Shane Duggan's effort flashing wide of the mark after Evan McMillan headed into his path while Gallagher was forced into making a fine save from Fitzgerald on the stroke of half-time.

Seven minutes into the second-half, Chris Breen shot wide after Parkhouse broke from a corner while Breen also had a volley deflected over on the hour as Harps upped the tempo. From the resulting corner, Stuart Malcolm had a header well clawed away by the busy Matt Gregg. The UCD 'keeper was called into action again almost immediately when he was forced into a fine diving save from Funston's 25-yarder.

The energetic Funston had Harps' next chance a minute later, but after doing well to burst through the defence he shot at Gregg while Shaun Holmes drove across goal after being teed up by a skilful flick-on by Parkhouse. Harps were still living dangerously despite having the better of the chances and Stuart Malcolm had to make a superb saving block when Purcell spun in the box while the same player curled wide soon after.

Nine minutes from the end, Shane Duggan should have struck the leveller, but his finishing let him down as he got on the end of a neat flick by Purcell. That came after Gregg produced another fine save; this time to deny Parkhouse, who headed goalward from Funston's delivery.

A minute into added time, Harps bagged the second when Funston's long ball out of defence deceived sub Greg Bolger allowing Chris Breen to scamper into a one-on-one situation with Gregg. Breen rounded the goalkeeper and tapped home to seal the win and, for now at least, ease the concerns of the Finn Park faithful.

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Marc Mukendi, Jonathan Minnock, Stuart Malcolm, Shaun Holmes; Michael Funston, Davy Byrne (Shaun McGowan 28), Neil McCafferty, David Tyrell; Stephen Parkhouse, Chris Breen.
Subs not used: Austin Friel, Declan Boyle, Christy Connaghan, Gavin Cullen.

Booked: Mukendi (38), Breen (93).

UCD: Matt Gregg; Alan Mahon, Alan McNally, Evan McMillan, Conor Kenna (Ian Bermingham 79); Shane Fitzgerald (John Reilly 65), Shane McFaul, Pat McWalter, Shane Duggan (Greg Bolger 87); Timmy Purcell, Ronan Finn.
Subs not used: Billy Brennan, Brian Shorthall.

Booked: Mahon (86).

Referee: Declan Hanney (Dublin).

Attendance: 900 (estimate).