These are crucial times in the season, but UCD dealt with the heavy burden of expectancy as they were too cool and clinical for Galway United at Terryland Park.

A Keith Ward hat-trick ensured UCD grabbed a vital victory and the win puts UCD seven points clear of the out of sorts Tribesmen, who seem certain to face Bray Wanderers in a relegation play/off.

Though Derek O'Brien flashed a dangerous ball across the UCD goal seven minutes in it was the students who hit the front courtesy of a cute Keith Ward strike on 10.

Ciaran Nangle made the initial break and released Ward, who was crafty enough to guide a low driven shot around Galway goalkeeper Daire Geraghty from 20 yards.

UCD then dictated much of the first half, but Galway might have snatched a leveller, but Karl Sheppard failed to direct a Derek O'Brien cross on target.

Then Geraghty had to be alert to tip a stinging Ward free-kick around the post, but UCD grabbed a second goal in the 39th minute.

Paul Corry's subtle delivery released Chris Mulhall, who wriggled clear before whipping the ball into a packed Galway area.

The home defence were unable to cope and Corry blasted the students further ahead with an assured close range finish.

Galway craved a decent start to the second half, but they were rocked in the 51st minute when a sweet Ward free-kick edged the students three in front.

The Tribesmen were given a lifeline in the 62nd minute when Evan McMillan fouled Sheppard in the area with Stephen O'Donnell converting the penalty.

But UCD came thundering back and Mulhall supplied the assist for Ward who notched his hat-trick with a splendid right-footed shot.

Martin Russell was encouraged by the win; “On the back of his great finish last week against Shamrock Rovers it was a great achievement for Keith to get three and Paul was a threat from midfield too,” said Russell.

“You need that at times players from different areas contributing goals. Mathematically we aren’t there yet, but we want to finish as high up the table as we possibly can,” he added.

The win means UCD, barring a glut of peculiar results, will avoid a relegation play/off as Galway seem certain to face Bray Wanderers.

Galway United: Geraghty; Conneely, McKenzie, Sinnott, Meynell; King (Keane, 52), Curran, O'Donnell, O'Brien; Walsh (Molloy, 77), K Sheppard (D Sheppard, 84).

UCD: Brennan; Shortall, Leahy, E McMillan, Nangle; Mulhall, Corry, Bolger, Ward (Moore, 83); Kilduff, D McMillan (Creevy, 67).

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).