Despite producing a spirited performance, Waterford United had to endure their eight successive defeat when a better organised Bohemians took all three points from the RSC with a 3-1 victory.
The goals came from Jason McGuinness (10), Tony Grant (43) and John Paul Kelly (67). United’s goal came from Kristian Lamberski on 30 minutes.
The visitors opened the scoring on 10 minutes when John Paul Kelly delivered an in-swinging free from just inside the right corner flag. Jason McGuinness rose above everybody else in a crowded goalmouth to head the ball high into the net exposing, yet again, United’s vulnerability to set-pieces.
United swept up-field from the restart and almost scored a dramatic equaliser when Darryl Kavanagh slipped the ball to Stephen Grant but his hooked shot was headed off the line by Barry Ferguson.
However, the Blues did unhinge the Bohemians’ defence on 30 minutes when, following a clever one-two with James Chambers on the edge of the area, Kristian Lamberski steered the ball into the net past the advancing goalkeeper, Stephen O’Brien.
Despite being under fierce pressure in the final minutes of the first half, it was the visitors who took the lead on 43 minutes, somewhat against the run of play, after racing upfield on the break.
Vinnie Arkin’s shot was punched out by goalkeeper Shane Dunphy but only as far as Tony Grant whose first effort came back off the upright but he made no mistake with his second attempt.
Bohemians went further ahead on 67 minutes when Kelly took a free from the edge of the area and his powerfully struck effort beat the goalkeeper at the near post.
United remain the only club, from either division, still to record a victory.
Waterford United: Dunphy, Flynn, Young (Irwin, 60 minutes), Hayes, Browne, Lamberski, Grant, Chambers, Doyle, Kavanagh, McCarthy (Polewczak, 75 minutes). Substitutes not used: Deans, Russell, Fyffe.
Bohemians: O'Brien, Rice, Byrne (Howell, half-time), Heery, Ferguson, McGuinness, Grant (Dunphy, 81 minutes), Farrelly, Arkins (O'Keeffe, 75 minutes), Kelly, Ward. Substitutes not used: Duggan, Gallagher.
Referee: Tony Kelly, Westmeath.
