FAI Cup Third round/ Waterford United 1 Longford Town 1: An understrength Waterford United battled to hold visitors Longford Town in an action-packed FAI Cup third round tie at the RSC last night.

Indeed, Waterford could have won the tie as they put the visitors' defence under pressure late on, but Alan Mathews' men held out to take the tie back to their Flancare Park stronghold on Monday night.

The game started at a brisk pace with both teams going on the attack.

Ian Fraher had a chance for Waterford after only five minutes but as he was about to hit his shot,Alan Murphy got across with a tackle to deny a certain goal.

On 10 minutes, Longford had their first goal-scoring chance when Dave Mooney picked out Robbie Martin but from only six yards out Martin side-footed wide.

The breakthrough wasn't long coming, however, as just four minutes later the visitors took a deserved lead. Alan Kirby played the ball wide to John Martin, who got behind the Waterford defence and his delicate chip found the far corner of the net.

Waterford continued to push forward and they got back on level terms from the penalty spot on 23 minutes after Stephen Gough fouled Gerard McCarthy in the box.

McCarthy picked himself up and sent Michael Dempsey the wrong way from the spot.

On the half-hour mark McCarthy almost gave Waterford the lead when he chipped goalkeeper Dempsey from 30 yards but the ball just cleared the crossbar.

After a frantic first half the pace of the game dropped for the second period and with Paul McCarthy and Stephen Grant pulling the strings in midfield, Waterford dominated the game.

The home team created plenty of chances, with Paul McCarthy forcing Dempsey into another fine save.

Referee Buttimer waved away Waterford's shout for a penalty when Gerald McCarthy appeared to be fouled in the box.

In the closing stages Longford caught Waterford with a swift counterattack but Dave Mooney was off target with a shot from 14 yards. It was all Waterford in the closing minutes and they came close to winning the tie with two goal-scoring opportunities.

Paul McCarthy hit a dipping 25-yard volley that brought the save of the game from goalkeeper Dempsey.

Then in the last minute Ger McCarthy got free in the box but he went for power and the ball flashed over the crossbar.

WATERFORD UNITED: Spicer, Flynn, Russell, Browne, Brosnan, P McCarthy, Chambers, Grant, G McCarthy, McDonald (G Doyle 61, N Irvine 88), Fraher (O'Shea 33)

LONGFORD TOWN: Dempsey, Gough, Murphy, J Martin, O'Connor, Mooney, Kirby, Fitzgerald, Doherty, R Martin (D Baker 88), Paisley.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).