By Séamus Leonard
Shelbourne leapfrogged Waterford United into second place in the eircom First Division courtesy of a double from in-form Anthony Flood at Tolka Park.
The striker opened the scoring after eight minutes when he got between the defence and Packie Holden to poke the ball over the stranded Waterford 'keeper.
Shels controlled the game for long periods but it took them until two minutes from time to seal the points when Flood applied the finish - his seventh league goal of the season - after a centre from substitute Philip Hughes.
It was an important and deserved win for the hosts, who were missing midfielder Greg O'Halloran and defenders Alan Byrne and Alan Murphy through suspension.
The only disappointing aspect from manager Dermot Keely's point of view is that they didn't convert more of the plethora of chances they created.
Waterford began the game in an attacking fashion and barely 15 seconds had passed before Dean Delaney's gloves were warmed by a shot from Willy John Kiely.
The hosts should have taken the lead as early as the fourth minute. A loose touch by Vinny Sullivan was seized upon by Shels captain Damien Brennan.
The centre-back made a forceful run forward before slipping the ball into Flood's path only for the First Division's top scorer to pull his shot wide.
The striker, who goes by the nickname 'Bisto', atoned for that miss five minutes later.
James Chambers, once again showing his versatility by filling in at right-back, pumped a long ball that landed behind the back four and Flood capitalised on Holden's hesitancy to give his side the lead.
Shels were rampant and almost doubled their advantage in the 12th minute when winger James Keddy's chip from the edge of the area came back off the crossbar.
Flood was on hand to follow up the rebound, but referee Tómas Connolly booked the player for using his hand in trying to help the ball into the net.
Connolly enraged the home crowd when he showed Alan Keely a yellow card for kicking the ball into the crowd, even though the ball seemed to be still in play when the centre-half last got his boot to ball.
By then Dundalk manager John Gill was in attendance, prudently keeping an eye on two of the Lilywhites' main rivals for the First Division title.
Waterford boss Gareth Cronin must have been relieved at the mild weather conditions that were prevailing, as he had to give up his jacket so that one of his substitutes' tracksuit top would not clash with the players on the pitch.
Dave Warren caused Delaney a moment of concern when his awkwardly bouncing shot eluded the Shels keeper's grasp for a split second in the 39th minute.
Delaney was forced into action again two minutes before the break when he was required to tip Sullivan's sweetly-struck volley over the bar, as the visitors finished the half strongly.
The hosts started on the front foot after the restart. With a little over a minute gone Mulcahy's cross was directed into Flood's path by David Freeman but the number nine's volley went straight down the throat of Holden.
A fine cross from the right-wing by Kiely found Sullivan unmarked in the middle of the area but the Blues' striker was unable to keep his header down. It was to be Kiely's last act as he was soon replaced by Karl Bermingham.
Waterford had a great chance to equalise in the 58th minute. Sullivan beat the offside to race onto substitute Luke Fitzpatrick's through ball but Delaney came out and used his body to block the shot.
Keely's charges took control of the game in the middle of the second half and his son Alan headed just over when the Waterford defence failed to deal properly with a Freeman free-kick. It was the first of a hatful of opportunities that Shels would spurn.
Hughes showed a good turn of pace to race through but his shot from a tight enough angle was well parried and then collected by Holden.
The former Dundalk man should have finished the game when Keddy released him with six minutes to go but he sliced his effort high and wide of the New Stand goal. Worse was to come when Flood wanted too much time with a chance, allowing Holden to come out and claim at the forward's feet.
Keddy was the next guilty party as he blazed over from ten yards after Mark O'Brien had cut the ball back from the end line.
The crucial second goal eventually came in the 88th minute. Freeman set Hughes free down the right flank and his low cross found Flood who took a touch before drilling a low shot to the net.
Shelbourne: Delaney; Chambers, Keely, Brennan (c), Hedderman; A Mulcahy (Hughes, 62 mins), O’Brien, McGill, Keddy, Flood, Freeman.
Waterford United: Holden; Quigley, Breen (c), Browne (Fitzpatrick, 45 mins), Clarke; J Mulcahy, McCarthy, Warren, Foley (Waters, 68); Sullivan, Kiely (Bermingham, 51).
Referee: Tómas Connolly (Dublin).
