Shamrock Rovers stretched their unbeaten run to five games after goals from Darragh Burns and Roberto Lopes gave them a 2-1 victory over Waterford in front of 3,681 spectators at the RSC.
Robert McCourt did equalise for the hosts through a deflected free-kick, but they weren't level for long as the Hoops regained the lead just ten minutes later.
The packed stands witnessed a slow game, with the two teams almost holding back in a bid to suss one another out.
Both sides had a point to prove, with Waterford looking to make up for a defeat to Sligo Rovers while the Hoops were eager to make up lost ground in the title race.
As a result, and in a bid to keep things fresh, four changes were made to the Blues outfit from Friday and there were five new faces in the Rovers line-up.
This meant a fast start and a number of chances and half-chances were created in the opening ten minutes.
Graham Burke was the first player to go for goal as a tame effort from the striker went straight into the hands of Sam Sargeant.
Rovers then won a corner and Markus Poom headed wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.
This frantic start faded into a period of détente. Waterford used this to figure out a way to deal with Burke, who played in between the lines of midfield and attack, and Rovers tightened up on the right in a bid to stop Ben McCormack and Connor Parsons creating an overlap.
The only real chance during this period was an Aaron Greene header from a Markus Poom cross, and the ball went just wide.
The second half started with a flurry of activity around the Rovers penalty area, and the Hoops came through this burst of activity intact. Their composure was rewarded when a quick ball over the top found Burns, and he slotted in after rounding Sargeant.
Ten minutes later it was 1-1, with a deflection putting a McCourt free beyond the reach of Leon Pohls.
As quickly as the game was levelled, Rovers regained the lead when Lopes turned in a Conan Noonan cross.
Stephen Bradley and his management team saw the game out by making a triple substitution, and two players brought on were defenders Josh Honohan and Trevor Clarke. They helped the Hoops keep Waterford at arm’s length, by stopping a late push for an equaliser from the hosts.
Waterford FC: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power, Grant Horton, Rowan McDonald (Harvey Mcadam 61), Ben McCormack, Padriag Amond, Connor Parsons, Connor Evans (Maleace Asamoah 61), Kacper Radkowski, Robert McCourt (Dean McMenamy 90), Joseph Forde (Gbemi Arubi 81).
Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Sean Hoare, Lee Grace (Roberto Lopes 31), Daniel Cleary, Aaron Greene (Cian Dillon 76), Graham Burke (Josh Honohan 76), Gary O’Neil, Richie Towell (Darragh Nugent 61), Markus Poom, Darragh Burns, Conan Noonan (Trevor Clarke 76).
Referee: Rob Hennessey.
