Waterford United extended their unbeaten run to four games as they proved too strong for an under strength Longford Town in this bottom of the table clash that sparkled in patches.
The Blues’ victory was the first time in eight seasons that they got the better of their opponents in front of their own fans at the RSC.
United opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time when David Breen bustled his way in front of Sean Prunty to head into the net from six yards.
The in-form Vinnie Sullivan made it two-nil on 64 minutes with a diving header from a superb cross from Robbie Hedderman.
Longford pulled a goal back from the penalty spot on 77 minutes when Kenny Browne was somewhat harshly adjudged by the assistant referee to have handled the ball from a Dessie Baker cross.
Dave Mooney calmly took the kick and blasted the ball high into the net.
Longford substitute David Lee replaced Daire Doyle with two minutes to go and almost scored within 30 seconds.
He latched on to a high ball from Dave Freeman and beat the offside trap but his shot shaved the outside of the right upright.
Both sides should really have scored several goals in a lively first half and Waterford were particularly wasteful.
Sullivan looked very sharp but his aim was slightly off and he failed to convert a hatful of golden opportunities that could have earned him a hat-trick before the break.
His closest effort came in the 35th. minute when he swivelled just inside the area but saw his blistering shot go over off the crossbar.
Though outplayed for long periods, Longford also had their chances and, on 14 minutes, it took a good save by Dean Delaney to deny Damien Brennan from a Daire Doyle corner from the left.
Waterford United: Delaney, Scully, Hedderman, Breen, Browne, Warren, Kavanagh (Hayes, 83 minutes) McCarthy, Sullivan, Harte (Mulcahy, 93 minutes), Brosnan. Substitutes not used: Keely, Bruton, Holden.
Longford Town: Dempsey, Sullivan, Rutherford, Prunty, Brennan, Reilly (Baker, 74 minutes), Deegan, Doyle (Lee, 88 minutes) Mooney, Freeman, Wexler (Doherty, 74 minutes). Substitutes not used: Lynch, O’Riordan.
Referee: Mark Gough, Limerick.
