SOCCER/FAI Cup semi-final/Derry City - 1 Waterford Utd - 2: Waterford United remain on course to win the FAI Cup for the first time in 24 years following last night's victory over Derry City at a blustery Brandywell.

And the home side can have no complaints having gifted Waterford two first-half goals which could so easily have been avoided.

Making matters worse for the home side was the fact they lost the services of right winger Gareth McGlynn during the latter stages of the opening period for a two-footed tackle.

With a near gale-force wind at their backs in the opening period, Waterford took full advantage when breaking the deadlock after just seven minutes.

Derry centre half Clive Delaney failed to control a Seán Hargan pass and Waterford striker Daryl Murphy stole in to take full advantage.

But the home side battled back and restored equality five minutes later.

A McGlynn free on the right was headed back out to the edge of the penalty area and Davy Byrne controlled the ball before driving it home off the inside of the post.

With the wind spoiling the game as a spectacle, Derry gifted Waterford a second goal in the 40th minute from the penalty spot. Forde raced from his area before heading a high ball clear and when it dropped into Willie Bruton's path, the Waterford striker directed a shot on goal.

Derry defender Paddy McLaughlin was perfectly placed to block the effort but when the ball appeared to strike his arm, referee Paul McKeon immediately pointed to the spot.

Waterford goalkeeper Dan Connor took the responsibility for the spot-kick and hammered the ball high into the net.

However, the first-half drama continued three minutes later when Derry were reduced to 10 men.

Right winger McGlynn was a shown a straight red card by McKeon when he appeared to lunge into a two-footed tackle on Mark Clifford and the home side were now in serious trouble.

And as the teams made their way off the pitch at half-time, it was interesting to note that the referee was asked to make the half-time a draw for a raffle amid a torrent of abuse from the home fans.

After the break, Derry bossed the ball as they had the wind at their backs but failed to make any significant headway in the front line.

Indeed, it was Waterford who threatened but both Bruton and David Mulcahy failing to get onto the end of John Frost's cross in the 48th minute while a Mulcahy header in the 70th minute failed to hit the target.

From a Derry point of view, Kevin Deery's low free-kick was punched clear by Connor in the 53rd minute but that was probably as good as it got for the home supporters.

DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Delaney, McLaughlin (89 mins), Hargan; Deery (Beckett, 70 mins), Doherty, Byrne (Hutton, 82 mins), McGlynn; A. Murphy, Martin.

WATERFORD UNITED: Connor; Breen, Whelehan, Coleman; Carey, Reynolds, Mulcahy, Clifford, Frost; D Murphy, Bruton (Banville, 73 mins).

Referee: Paul McKeon (Dublin).