Woods stars in tight win

Billy Woods capped an eventful afternoon's work at Morton Stadium yesterday with a cracking winning goal which put Shamrock Rovers back at the top of the Premier Division table.

Woods's 71st minute winner was no more than Rovers' second-half revival deserved, with the 25-year-old winger instrumental in much of what they did, including a nerve-jangling period in goal when he replaced the injured Tony O'Dowd for the final few minutes.

The result now sets up a mouth-watering top of the table clash with arch-rivals Bohemians at Tolka Park next Sunday.

Having played second fiddle to a admirably positive Waterford side for much of the first-half, Rovers, undoubtedly with a strong half-time talking to from manager Damien Richardson ringing in their ears, were an entirely different proposition after the interval, forcing six corners within 10 minutes.

Shane Robinson, who brought a good save from Michael Devine after a skilful dribble, and Jason Colwell, who had a shot cleared off the line by Derek McGrath, came very close before a more direct approach brought them the game's only goal.

Defender Shane Jackson, one of three teenagers in the Rovers starting 11, hoofed a ball forward. Tony Cousins headed it down for Woods who turned and shot low past Devine with a first time left foot drive.

Waterford might have stolen a point four minutes from time when Derek McGrath played Jered Stirling through on goal. The Scottish midfielder chipped O'Dowd only to see his shot fly into the side-netting.

Waterford had had much the better of a disappointing first-half. Karl Gannon, the former Rovers striker, created the best chance when he skipped up the left onto Robert Griffin's pass, leaving Jackson on his backside as he cut inside him, only to shoot inches over O'Dowd's crossbar.

That opportunity, five minutes before the interval, had been preceded a minute earlier by the only clear-cut chance of the first 45 minutes for Rovers; Christian Hislop clearing off the line a weak shot from Rovers' debutant striker Tony Stewart after Tim McGrath collided with Devine as he came to collect Tommy Dunne's cross.

Prior to that it had been pretty insipid stuff with Waterford enjoying the better of the few half-chances, Jered Stirling and Griffin shooting wide and over the top respectively.

Shamrock Rovers: O'Dowd; Britton, Jackson, Palmer, Dunne; Robinson, Kenny, Tracey, Woods; Stewart, Cousins. Subs: Colwell for Kenny (63 mins), Purdy for Cousins (87 mins), Brazil for Robinson (90 mins).

Waterford United: Devine; Whittle, Smith, T McGrath, Hislop; Kirby, D McGrath, Griffin, Stirling; Gannon, Kabia. Subs: Frost, Flood and Wood for Hislop, Stirling and Kabia (all 86 mins).

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).