Waterford go close

A point may have been enough to lift Waterford off the bottom of the table though a dubious refereeing decision certainly deprived them of all three at Tolka Park yesterday.

Shamrock Rovers defender Gino Brazil headed into his own net from a Derek McGrath cross on the hour. Referee Pat Whelan appeared to have given the goal before changing his mind and awarding a relieved Rovers a free out for what he gestured was pushing by Jason Kabia.

It was rough on Waterford who were much the more eager side in the second-half as Rovers disgruntled supporters vented their frustration at another uninspiring display by their team with chants of "Mick Byrne for England."

In an error-ridden first-half Rovers enjoyed much of the ball but scarcely threatened Michael Devine in the Waterford goal.

Jason Colwell had perhaps the clearest opening when Tony Cousins' cleverly set him up after 27 minutes, but though his shot had power, it was straight at Devine.

Devine then did well to force the ball out for a corner when diving bravely at the feet of the recalled Brendan Markey after Cousins had again done well to create the opening.

Waterford's strikeforce of Dominic Iorfa and Jason Kabia was lively for much of the game and they carved out a decent chance after just six minute when Rovers' goalkeeper Tony O'Dowd did well to save at his near post after Kabia got on the end of Iorfa's cross in from the right.

Waterford were much the better side in the second-half after the disallowed goal, if nothing else, finally brought the game to life.

Devine dived full length to make the save of the match from Matt Britton minutes later.

The Rovers goal then had another let off on 67 minutes when a backpeddling O'Dowd had to stretch to push a John Frost shot onto the crossbar and away while O'Dowd again did well to parry away a stinging volley from the impressive Alan Kirby in the final minute.

Shamrock Rovers: O'Dowd; Whelan, Brazil, Purdy; Britton, Palmer, Colwell, Dunne, Tracey; Cousins, Markey. Subs: Sherlock for Markey (57 mins), Morrisroe for Palmer (76 mins), Murray for Colwell (86 mins).

Waterford United: Devine; Smith, Riordan, T McGrath, Frost; Kirby, D McGrath, Flood, Harkin; Iorfa, Kabia. Subs: Gannon for Kabia (77 mins).

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).