It was a second half penalty from Colm Whelan that turned the tide in UCD's FAI Cup clash with Shelbourne at the UCD Bowl tonight.

Shelbournes winning run was ended by Whelan's spot-kick and a Harvey O Brian header, as the students get one over on their Dublin counterparts.

This will be a match that the visitors will be disappointed not to have competed more in, as it is the College side that will progress into the next round.

The opening exchanges of the game were indeed tense, as both clubs tried to string spells of play together but with no such luck. 

Turnovers and misplaced passes were prominent with neither side willing to make a slip up early on, the opening quarter was cagey. 

Whelan had UCD's first chance at goal 12 minutes in, with the ball bouncing around the box he got his shot off before Shelbournes Brendan Clarke made a good save. 

After this it was The Reds who got a foothold in the match, Shane Farrell shooting just wide after great build up play down the right side 15 minutes in.

It was Farrell again who went close to scoring the ball just passing the wrong side of the post 30 minutes in, had he looked up Dayle Rooney was at the back post in space to potentially tap in home. 

UCD struggled from set pieces, converting their own and defending those of the opposition 42 minutes in, Shelbournes Maxim Kouogan header just clipped the post and the sides went in 0-0 at half time.  

The Students started the second half lively putting pressure on the Shels defenders and eventually that pressure proved fruitful. 

Whelan ran at the defence in the 55th minute, and was brought down in the box. He dusted himself off and slotted the penalty into the bottom corner putting the students 1-0 up. 

This goal pushed UCD on a penalty against the run of play and soon changed the flow of the match. The college side's appetite and eagerness to press and create chances was night and day in comparison with the first period. 

Shelbourne were left looking for answers in the second half with everything they tried having no positive outcome. 

The final nail in Shelbourne winning streaks coffin was a brilliant header from O’Brian in the 79th minute, which sucked the life out of any Shels fight back. 

UCD will be delighted to get over the line and into the next round of the cup with Shelbourne now looking forward to their rematch with the Belfield side in the league in two weeks time.