UCD travelled to Sligo last night only to return with a 2-1 defeat, their fourth loss in a row after a heart aching injury time goal.

Padraig Amond scored the dramatic winner as Sligo Rovers defeated UCD in the Airtricity League Premier Division clash at The Showgrounds despite Ciaran Kilduff thinking he had grabbed a point for the Students with a deflected leveller two minutes from time. Amond headed home his second of the game to seal a valuable three points for Rovers.

Sligo dominated the early exchanges, but it took them almost half an hour to get on the scoresheet.

The strike from Amond was worth waiting for, however, as John Dillon and Eoin Doyle worked the ball into the club's top-scorer, who expertly lifted it over UCD goalkeeper Gerard Barron from inside the area.

Before that, Doyle saw a snapshot from close range flash the wrong side of the post, while Joseph Ndo couldn't keep his free-kick on target from a good position.

Once they got the breakthrough, it looked like Rovers would push on, and John Russell went close to grabbing a second with a stinging shot from distance that bounced off the crossbar.

Ndo also beat three players before forcing a good save off Barron on the stroke of half-time, while UCD came closest when Graham Rusk was teed up by Dwayne Wilson, but saw his shot go the wrong side of the post.

UCD made a change at the break, with Robbie Creevy replacing Paul Corry, and they were much more competitive in the second half.

Richard Brush needed to tip a brilliant long-range effort from Keith Ward over the top on 52 minutes, while Paul O'Connor also tried his luck from distance six minutes later.

Rovers struggled to break down a disciplined UCD rearguard, although Russell and Gavin Peers both went close from Ndo corners.

UCD grabbed an equaliser with just two minutes left, as Rovers lost possession in midfield and Ciaran Kilduff saw his shot deflect off Jim Lauchlan and into the net.

But Amond won it for the home side when he rose highest to nod Ndo's free into the net in injury time.

UCD play bottom of the table, Bray Wanderers in their next match and this is indeed a must win match for the students.

Sligo Rovers: 1 Richard Brush, 2 Alan Keane, 4 Gavin Peers, 20 Jim Lauchlan, 3 Iarflaith Davoren, 11 Eoin Doyle, 8 John Russell (12 Conor O'Grady 78), 6 Richie Ryan (captain), 7 John Dillon (21 Gary McCabe 78), 15 Joseph Ndo, 10 Padraig Amond.

Subs not used: 19 Ciaran Kelly (gk), 14 Mark McGoldrick, 16 Derek Foran.

UCD: 1 Gerard Barron, 2 Michael Kelly, 4 Andrew Boyle, 5 Evan McMillan (captain), 3 Ciaran Nangle, 10 Dwayne Wilson, 6 Paul Corry (14 Robbie Creevy ht), 7 Paul O'Connor (13 Stephen Roche 67), 11 Keith Ward, 9 Ciaran Kilduff, 8 Graham Rusk.

Subs not used: 12 Gareth Matthews, 16 Billy Brennan, 15 Stephen Doyle.

Referee: Thomas Connolly (Dublin).