Galway United remain the only undefeated team in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division thanks to a hard-fought victory over Waterford FC at Eamonn Deacy Park.
It was an even start to proceedings on Corribside with both teams struggling to settle into the encounter.
Following a stop-start beginning, the opening half-chance came the way of Waterford's Conan Noonan just before the midway point of the first half, but his long-range effort flew over Evan Watts’ crossbar.
On loan Swansea shot-stopper Watts, who was making his second start for the Tribesmen, acquitted himself well in place of the injured Brendan Clarke.
The match continued to be a lacklustre affair with opportunities at a minimum, as Killian Brouder went closest for United before the half-time whistle when he tested Stephen McMullan from a long way out.
Waterford marksman Pádraig Amond was unable to get into the thick of the action in the opening 45 minutes, while United striker Stephen Walsh fought valiantly for loose balls at the other end of the pitch.
After the break, Amond couldn’t truly test Watts with a close-range free-kick, while Jimmy Keohane almost found an opening in the opposition box but the Blues did just enough to clear their lines.
The remainder of the contest saw the home side push for a winner: Patrick Hickey went close with a header and Bobby Burns tested McMullan with a low-driven volley.
The Tribesmen were eventually rewarded for their efforts when Vincent Borden headed home a corner in the 80th minute.
Following a very near goal in the previous play, substitutes David Hurley and Borden combined to give United the lead to the delight of the home faithful.
In a match that won’t be remembered for clear-cut chances, United went home the happier to extend their unbeaten run to six games.
Galway United: Watts; Byrne, Slevin, Brouder, Walsh (Hurley 59); Cunningham, Dyer (Tollett 88), Hickey, Burns (Donelon 77), Keohane (Borden 59); Esua.
Waterford FC: McMullan; Bakboord, Burke, Horton, Olayinka (Glenfield 84); Amond, Leahy, Radkowski, Pouwels, Noonan; McMenamy.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
