A 1-1 draw with Bray Wanderers at a rain-soaked Belfield means that UCD are all but assured of their place in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division play-offs.
A win would have made that outcome certain for UCD but a late Jimmy Corcoran penalty save from Hugh Parker leaves the Students nine points clear of sixth-placed Finn Harps.
The Donegal side have three games to play, although Willy O'Connor's men have a much superior goal difference.
Bray, who are well-placed to make the play-offs themselves, took the lead 10 minutes before the break, when a swift counter-attack led to Darren Craven putting the ball on a plate for Cristian Magerusan to guide the ball home from close-range.
Stephen Mohan levelled things up with 20 minutes to play before Corcoran kept out Parker's late spot-kick, with the UCD man then hitting the follow-up off the post.
Jimmy Corcoran with a big penalty save for Bray!#LOITV | #UCDBRY pic.twitter.com/UTkdoSVvxa
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) October 4, 2024
Already-crowned champions Cork City were held to a draw for the third consecutive game, and it could have been worse had it not been for Cian Coleman's late strike, which earned a 1-1 draw at home to Treaty United.
The Limerick side, who are finding some form a little too late to get involved in the play-off picture, took the lead early on through Lee J Lynch.
Another Munster derby took place at St. Colman's Park, where Cobh Ramblers were 2-1 winners against Kerry.
Jason Abbott gave the hosts the lead with an early penalty before Cian Brosnan levelled matters for Kerry on 23 minutes.
Abbott struck again on 71 minutes to give Cobh their second successive victory.
A win in the Midlands derby away at Longford on Saturday night would see Athlone Town secure their place in the play-offs.
The meeting between Finn Harps and Wexford has been pushed back to 14 October, due to the latter's participation in the Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup semi-finals this weekend.
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