Stand-in skipper Tony McDonnell rescued a point for UCD with a dramatic last-minute equaliser against Shamrock Rovers at Belfield yesterday.

Leading from the front, McDonnell had already struck once, just after half time, to restore parity after Rovers had taken the lead through Jason Colwell. Colwell shot home from close range after a Marc Kenny free kick had taken a luck bounce off Terry Palmer.

But then McDonnell turned villain in the 78^th minute when he was - harshly - adjudged to have fouled Brian Byrne in the box. Sean Francis made no mistake from the spot.

However, McDonnell made amends in the 90^th minute when he pounced on a mix-up between Palmer and Rovers' 'keeper Robbie Horgan.

UCD: Ryan, McLoughlin, Delaney, McAuley, Mahon, Martin, McDonnell, Kavanagh, O’Donnell, Bennis, Grogan.

Sub: Martyn for O’Donnell

Booked: Delaney 33, Kavanagh 44, John Martin 78, McLoughlin 88

Goals: McDonnell 56, 90

Shamrock Rovers: Horgan, Smith, Cronin, Palmer, Dunne, Kenny, Colwell, Tracey, Byrne, Francis, Grant. Subs: Robinson for Kenny, Deans for Francis

Booked: Dunne 16

Goals: Colwell 35, Francis pen. 78