Lethargic Waterford have no answer to St Patrick's strike force

Waterford United 1 St Patrick's Athletic 3St Patrick's Athletic consolidated their position in the top half of the table at the RSC last night when they completely outplayed Waterford United, who have now gone 12 league games without a win.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play on 16 minutes when a long throw-in by Anto Murphy caused a mix up in the United goalmouth. Blues skipper Chris Deans appeared to chest the ball back to Jimmy Fyffe but the goalkeeper failed to gather and the ball trickled into the net.

St Patrick's doubled their lead on 70 minutes when Stephen Quigley passed to Alan Reil. The former Blues player, who had come on as a substitute, sent over a perfect cross from the corner flag for Paul Keegan to head home from close range.

The third goal arrived from the penalty spot on 70 minutes after Kenny Browne took down Mark Rutherford in the area and Michael Foley, sending Fyffe the wrong way, drilled the ball into the net.

Seven minutes later, United pulled a goal back when Darragh Maguire headed into his own net as he attempted to intercept a 30-yard free by James Chambers.

United's misery was compounded three minutes from time when skipper Chris Deans was dismissed by referee Anthony Buttimer after receiving a second yellow card.

Prior to the first goal, United had done most of the attacking. Darryl Kavanagh put Thomas Hawkins clean through after six minutes but a good block by Maguire stopped him in his tracks.

The Saints' defence was unhinged on 11 minutes but a Gavin Doyle shot was deflected out for a corner.

The visitors almost scored five minutes into the second period but Paul Keegan saw his snap-shot from 25 yards shave the topside of the crossbar.

WATERFORD UNITED: Fyffe, Flynn, Young (Hughes, 74 minutes), Deans, Browne, Grant (O'Shea, 62 minutes), Hawkins (Fraher, 50 minutes), McCarthy, Doyle, Kavanagh, Chambers.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan, Murphy, S. Quigley, Brennan, Maguire, Mulcahy, O'Connor (Reilly, 57 minutes), Foley, Keegan, M. Quigley (Flood, 86 minutes) , Rutherford.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).