Tommy Lonergan with a brace as UCD stun Dundalk at the Bowl

Teenager Tommy Lonergan scored a sublime brace as UCD twice came from behind to lift themselves off the foot of the table in this thriller at the Bowl.

College move a point clear of Finn Harps ahead of their visit to Tallaght Stadium on Sunday to face Shamrock Rovers.

Dundalk's second half collapse meant they blew a chance to join champions Rovers level on points at the top as they slip back to third.

As they did in running up a 2-0 lead at the same venue in May, Dundalk started on the front foot, cutting UCD open a little too easily on five minutes.

Steven Bradley threaded a finely weighted ball through the home defence for the run of David McMillan, one of six ex-UCD players in Dundalk's match day squad.

Cutting in from the angle, McMillan’s low drive was turned round a post by Kian Moore.

UCD briefly played their way into the game and were left fuming on 12 minutes from their first foray forward.

Alex Dunne’s ball over the top found the run of Lonergan who appeared to be hauled down by Same Bone.

But to the home side’s consternation, an assistant flagged for a free out.

In a fast flowing game, College had a left off minutes later.

Darragh Leahy put Ryan O’Kane away down the left to out fox Dunne and whip a fine cross to the back post where Greg Sloggett should have done better than loop a tame header over the top.

Remaining the better side, Dundalk worked Moore again from their sixth corner of the game on 26 minutes.

O’Kane’s delivery found skipper Andy Boyle, sent off here back in May, whose snapshot found the arms of the UCD keeper.

Scarcely a minute later Dundalk had claims for a penalty dismissed as McMillan’s shot struck Michael Gallagher after Keith Ward had got to the end line to cross.

The lively McMillan was then not too