Bohemians keep Euro push on track with second-half double at UCD

Bohemians took a step forward in the race for European football after slinking past UCD to move back into fourth place in the SSE Airtricity League.

Having led the league earlier this year, the Gypsies now find themselves in a dogged battle with Shelbourne – who they moved above after tonight's result – and Dundalk to capture the league’s potentially crucial fourth spot.

Failing success there, Declan Devine’s men will have another shot for European qualification against St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Cup final exactly one month from now.

James Clarke and Danny Grant ensured the Phibsborough side did what was needed of them tonight. However, everyone involved with Bohs knows they need to up it a gear to succeed in a season that could still go either way.

Despite conceding 86 goals this season, UCD have shown some good defensive play at home. The Students held Shamrock Rovers scoreless a couple of weeks ago, and they looked like replicating that feat throughout the first half tonight.

The Gypsies struggled to break through the lines. League top scorer Jonathan Afolabi came closest but twice failed to beat Lorcan Healy before half-time.

However, even when they are playing well, Andy Myler's side look vulnerable, and that is exactly what happened as darkness set in around Belfield.

It took just one minute after the restart for Clarke to jink past three defenders and find the back of the net.

Dylan Connolly was the architect of the second 15 minutes later when he whipped a perfect cross for Grant to head home.

The floodgates looked like they could open, but the Students regained their composure, even offering a wonderful consolation goal through 17-year-old Matthew Alonge.

That was enough to excite some of the 1,224 here, but the