Waterford United 2-1 Sporting Fingal

Waterford United gained vital ground in the promotion race thanks to brace of well-taken David Grincell goals after an incident-packed second half at the RSC.

On 21 minutes, the Blues hit the front thanks to a terrific half-volley driven home by Grincell, finishing off a fine move involving Stephen Quigley and Vinny Sullivan, giving Steve Williams no chance from 14 yards.

The visitors could well have taken the lead just a minute earlier when Fingal's top scorer Robbie Doyle shot straight at Blues keeper Packie Holden from close range after Peter Hynes cut a ball in well from the right flank.

Sporting's best chance of the opening half came after just two minutes, when a speculative ball over the top from Barry Ferguson put Doyle through, but Holden was alive to the danger and advanced quickly to the edge of the box to block Doyle's shot with his body.

On 40 minutes, Waterford threatened again after Dave Warren jinked past Fingal left back Derek Tyrrell, picking out Vinny Sullivan, who sent his volley high and over.

Sporting Fingal drew level on 59 minutes and inevitably, it was Doyle who did the business, firing home his 13th league goal of the season.

Running from half-way, Doyle cut inside Stephen Quigley on the edge of the box, and skidded the ball across Holden and into the bottom corner of the net.

On 68 minutes, United regained the lead, after Barry Ferguson misjudged the pace of a Stephen Quigley long ball, allowing the spirited Luke Fitzgerald to knock the ball from the endline into the path of Grincell, who slid home the winner.

Shortly afterwards, the agile Williams denied the home side twice in the space of a minute, producing stunning saves to deny both Vinny Sullivan and Kenny Browne.

Waterford United: Packie Holden; Stephen Quigley, Robbie Clarke, David Breen, Kenny Browne; Dave Warren, John Hayes, Luke Fitzpatrick, Vinny Sullivan, David Grincell, Kevin Waters.

Subs: Kieran Fitzgerald for Quigley (80 mins), Joe Mulcahy for Hayes (86 mins), Willie John Kiely for Sullivan (87 mins).

Subs not used: Joe Mulcahy, Kieran Fitzgerald, Michael Foley, Ben Spicer.

Sporting Fingal: Steve Williams, Derek Tyrell, John Frost, Chris Deans, Aidan Collins; Barry Ferguson, Conan Byrne, Fiachra McArdle, Peter Hynes; Paul Caffrey, Robbie Doyle.

Subs: Colm James for Collins (39 mins), Daniel Murphy for Hynes (73 mins), Brian Morris Roe for McArdle (76 mins)

Subs not used: Brian Gannon, Brendan Clarke.

Referee: R Rogers (Westmeath).