There was to be no Friday night late, late show for Bohemians as strikes either side of the break from James Olayinka and Tommy Lonergan saw Waterford to victory at Dalymount Park.
Jordan Flores equalised for the Phibsboro side early in the second half but Lonergan - who capped off St Patrick's Athletic’s FAI Cup final win over Bohs two years ago - quickly settled it.
Bohs had struck winners deep in injury time in their three previous outings against Cork City, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic to take them within two points of the summit.
But it was Waterford who provided the injury time drama three minutes into first half added time as Olayinka drilled a low shot from 25 yards past a helpless Kacper Chorazka.
It was a shock, not only because Bohs had dominated much of the first half without calling Stephen McMullan into a save, before the ex-Arsenal man netted the first strike on target.
The lead was short-lived as Bohs struck within four minutes of the restart as Waterford failed to clear their lines and Flores was alive to tap into an empty net.
After a first 45 devoid of meaningful action, the drama continued just nine minutes later as Tommy Lonergan smashed home from close range after some chaotic Bohs defending.
Bohs had the better of the first half and threatened within four minutes as Ross Tierney’s low cross was turned behind by ex-Gypsy Darragh Leahy.
Dawson Devoy skied two efforts from distance either side of creating an opening for Dayle Rooney but there was little goalmouth action until first-half stoppage time.
Olayinka picked the ball up from a loose Bohs clearance and had time and space to compose himself and drive the ball into the corner of the net.
What a goal!🚀
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 2, 2025
James Olayinka breaks the deadlock with a sensational goal. pic.twitter.com/Jx8lNI6feJ
Slack defending from the Blues allowed Bohs back on terms early in the first half as Flores ran away with the credit as the ball made its way across the Blues line.
The second half was vastly more entertaining and, after Chorazka failed to keep hold of a deflected shot, Lonergan shimmied to the side before lashing into the net.
Bohs sparked back into life and it took ex-defender Grant Horton to deny Tierney after he was picked out in the box by Rooney.
Sub Rhys Brennan then pulled a shot narrowly wide after Olayinka had dispossessed the lively Tierney on the edge of the box.
Blues had two chances in quick succession as Amond picked the ball up 25 yards out and dragged wide before a poor clearance allowed Lonergan to pick out Kyle White with the same result.
Bohs could not repeat their Easter heroics, however, as Waterford hung on in the dying minutes to put a second straight win on the board under interim boss Matt Lawlor.
Bohemians: Kacper Chorążka; Niall Morahan, Rob Cornwall (Lys Mousset 74), Seán Grehan, Jordan Flores; Keith Buckley (Rhys Brennan 67), Dawson Devoy, James Clarke (James McManus 67); Ross Tierney, Dayle Rooney, Colm Whelan.
Waterford: Stephen McMullan; Grant Horton, Kacper Radkowski, Darragh Leahy, Ryan Burke; James Olayinka, Sam Glenfield (Dean McMenamy 74), Kyle White (Jesse Dempsey 90+6); Conan Noonan, Tommy Longergan (Maarten Pouwels 90+1), Pádraig Amond.
Referee: Gavin Colfer (Wicklow).
