On another night Rovers could have won by five, six, seven goals or even more.
Yet, in the end, they were relieved to just get Neil Farrugia's one in Tallaght to restore a five-point gap at the top.
Following the FAI Cup quarter-final loss to title race rivals Derry City and then scoreless derby draw with Shels last week, the Hoops couldn't afford any slip-ups against UCD.
So it transpired. But after scoring one goal in their last three outings - in the ECL, the FAI Cup and the League - Stephen Bradley won't be happy that Rovers didn't make this a comfortable night's work.
The final whistle was met with relief more than anything by the home fans.
The visitors kicked off with a one point advantage over Finn Harps in the automatic relegation spot and hungry to produce another shock - the recent 3-2 win over Dundalk was a warning to Rovers.
With Evan Caffrey playing in front of the defence, the Students looked to frustrate the champions.
Even so, Farrugia's goal should have opened the floodgates.
Instead, Rovers saw chance after chance wasted, with UCD's sub keeper Kian Moore in inspired form in the second half.
At the other end, Dylan Duffy almost squared it after the hour mark, with Alan Mannus spectacularly called into action, before Hyland also hit the side-netting in injury time.
The hosts had all of the early possession and chances with Jack Byrne, Graham Burke and Gaffney off-target.
However Rory Gaffney - Rovers' hardest-working player - and goal scorer Farrugia, their most creative, combined for the contest's only goal in the 13th minute. From the byline, Gaffney found the in-rushing Farrugia with his cross into the six yard box.
A vicious Burke effort was pushed around the post by Lorcan Healy in the visitors' goal, but Rovers took the foot off the pedal before half-time.
A Sean Gannon slip was pounced on by Donal Higgins before Duffy's shot was deflected for the corner.
At the other end, a terrific reverse pass by Farrugia was met by a fierce Caffrey shot that Healy saved with his face. He required on-field treatment and was later replaced by Moore at the break.
Rovers were handed another reminder that the game wasn't won when they failed to clear the lines in the 37th minute and Higgins fired wide of Mannus' near post.
Farrugia and Gaffney combined again in the 52nd minute, the latter's low shot finding the side-netting.
A Burke effort was saved by Moore and, moments later, the striker had an effort ruled out for offside.
Gaffney, Byrne then combined to set up Farrugia, who was also denied by Moore. Daniel Cleary had a go, Gaffney had another shot saved.
UCD broke out and Duffy's sweetly struck 63rd minute shot from the edge of the box was kept out by Mannus, who tipped it over.
Byrne came close in the 85th minute from 20 yards for Rovers. But there was still time for Duffy to get two more efforts in, the second just missing the post and denying the visitors a point.
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