Waterford United edged to a narrow 1-0 victory over Wexford Youths to keep the pressure up on eircom First Division leaders Dundalk.
By accounting for Wexford, their rescheduled game against third-placed Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Monday takes on even greater significance because victory there would leave the Suirsiders only two points off the top spot.
The crucial goal arrived from the penalty spot on 78 minutes when Anto Russell took down Gary Dunphy as he raced into the area and Gary Dunphy crashed the ball into the net with a fierce drive.
The Blues should have taken the lead on 25 minutes when a brilliant run towards goal by David Grincell was unceremoniously stopped by a clumsy tackle from Patsy Malone inside the area. But Dave Warren's much too casual penalty kick went wide of the upright.
Wexford almost got off to a dream start on six minutes when a cross from the left wing by Conor Sinnott was powerfully volleyed through a crowded goalmouth by Malone from 20 yards. Goalkeeper Packie Holden was unsighted but he spotted the ball at the last second and stopped it on the line.
Three minutes before half-time, Grincell displayed a lovely piece of skill when he took down Michael Foley's pass on his chest before swivelling and shooting on the spot. But, with goalkeeper Pa Doyle rooted to the spot, Foley's blistering effort went inches wide of the near upright.
On the hour, Foley broke clear on goal from a Luke Fitzpatrick pass but Doyle raced off his line and deflected the ball out for a corner off his feet.
Waterford United: Holden, Fitzgerald, Clarke, Breen, Hayes, Warren, Dunphy, Fitzpatrick (Mulcahy, 66 minutes), Grincell, Bermingham (Kiely, 80 minutes), Foley (Browne, 75 minutes)
Wexford Youths: P. Doyle, Kearney, Rossiter, Russell, Kelly, C. Sinnott, Malone, G. Doyle (Miller, 75 minutes), Furlong, Murphy, Fitzgerald (S. Sinnott, 66 minutes)
Referee: Mark Gough, Limerick.
