THE Belfield students had to survive a shaky opening to the second half before progressing against their Munster Senior League opponents in the FAI Cup second round at Belfield yesterday.

UCD took the lead after 21 minutes when hesitation between Youghal 'keeper Kieran Fleming and defender David Coleman allowed Robert McAuley to deflect the ball into the corner of the net from six yards.

The home side were always a threat from set pieces and after 32 minutes Tony McDonnell almost found the net with a diving header, following a free by Alan Mahon, but his effort went left of the post.

The second half had barely commenced when Youghal were level to the delight of their large following. There was a goalmouth scramble before the ball was half cleared by 'keeper Paddy O'Leary but centre-half Derek Murphy controlled the ball on his chest before brilliantly beating O'Leary with a powerful volley from the edge of the box.

The goal seemed to inspire the students more than Youghal whose defence found themselves under growing pressure for a long period after the equaliser.

UCD finally got their reward after 71 minutes when a Mahon free was nodded over the advancing keeper by substitute Robbie Martin at the far post.

Ciaran Martyn put the result beyond doubt with five minutes remaining. Influential Kevin Grogan found him in the box for Martyn to put the opportunity away.