Lewis hits brace as in-form Pat's breeze past UCD

Noah Lewis proved St Patrick's Athletic's unlikely super-sub with the defender scoring a brace as they breezed to victory at the UCD Bowl.

Incredibly, the crossbar then deprived the Dutchman of a hat-trick right at the death.

A fifth win in six games under new manager Jon Daly maintains the Inchicore side's good form as they further consolidate fourth place in the table.

In conceding all three goals from corners, it proved another evening to forget for beleaguered UCD.

A sixth straight defeat sees the Students slump 12 points adrift at the foot of the table.

With five changes from their win over Dundalk last week, three of which were enforced, St Pat’s started positively, taking the lead from their third corner of the game on seven minutes.

Conor Carty started where he left off last Friday, when scoring the winner against Dundalk, to rise unchallenged to meet Ben McCormack’s delivery and head home.

Dominant Saints should have doubled that within three minutes when McCormack picked out Jay McClelland with a sublime diagonal ball.

The former Student took it first time only to volley straight at goalkeeper Lorcan Healy who batted it away.

UCD worked hard to get a foothold in the game and spurned a real chance to level on 19 minutes. Brendan Barr found Jake Doyle in the area with the striker getting turned to bring a fine save with his feet from Dean Lyness.

Nine minutes later St Pat’s spurned another chance to extend their lead.

Defender Jay McGrath’s long ball over the top found the well-timed run of skipper Chris Forrester who, onside, shot wide of the far post when he knew he should have scored.

McClelland soon got another sight of goal with Healy getting down well to save the low drive.

A bittersweet few moments then brought St