Athlone and Waterford shared the spoils following a low-key scoreless draw at Lissywollen.
Waterford were unchanged from the drawn game with Longford while Athlone showed three changes from the Sporting Fingal defeat as they welcomed back the injured duo Davy Byrne and Jim Sheridan together with the suspended Noel McGee.
The home side almost got off to a dream start but Robbie Clarke did well to get a block inside the penalty area on Noel McGees goal bound effort in the second minute. Davy Byrne then sent a snap shot over the bar as Athlone dominated the early stages.
Waterford though got back into contention as half time approached. On the half hour mark the visitors were unlucky not to take the lead when Kenny Brownes close range effort following a Karl Bermingham corner kick was taken off the goal line by Town defender Nigel Keady.
Neither side looked capable of breaking the deadlock in the second half with most of the danger coming from set pieces. Both managers made changes in attack during the second period in a vain attempt to find the net.
Waterford enjoyed lots of possession but were unable to find a way past home keeper Ciaran Kelly and his solid defence. Philip Reilly had a rare chance for Athlone but headed wide Jason McCartney’s corner kick.
Luke Fitzpatrick should have claimed full points for United on 65 minutes but from six yards range headed Michael Foleys free kick from the right over the bar.
On the stroke of full time Karl Bermingham was denied by a fine stop from Ciaran Kelly while in stoppage time Kieran Fitzgerald blasted a free kick over but Athlone held out to claim their first point of the season.
ATHLONE: Kelly, Rossiter, Hamm, Sheridan, Keady, Reilly, Tierney, Byrne, Lavine (Moran 80), McGee (O’Dowd 67), McCartney.
WATERFORD: Holden, Fitzgerald, Clarke, Browne, Breen, Warren, Fitzpatrick (Dunphy 80), McCarthy, Waters (Foley 59), Sullivan (Grincell 76), Bermingham.
