Drogheda United earned just their fourth league victory of the season at United Park as Waterford failed to move clear of the chasing pack towards the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.
Kevin Doherty's team, meanwhile, move to within three points of the relegation play-off spot courtesy of goals from Frantz Pierrot and substitute Adam Foley.
On a day when the hosts revealed plans for an ambitious new 4,500-seater stadium, with Drogheda one of eight League of Ireland clubs seeking support from the Government’s Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund, they returned to their decidedly modest United Park home eager to jumpstart their Premier Division survival bid.
All four of their league win have all come on home soil. The old ground will have a huge say in what division United will play in next season, it seems.
Luke Dennison kept his place in between the posts for Doherty’s side, with Stockport County-bound Andrew Wogan in reserve.
Keith Long made seven changes to his Blues starting XI as Europe-chasing Waterford resumed league action.
With Shamrock Rovers and Galway United breathing down their neck, their grasp on third position was anything but secure. However, Waterford arrived on Boyneside having hit four in both of their previous outings against the Drogs this season.
There was never going to be repeat of such a scoreline third time around.
Drogheda, who adapted a 3-5-2 system for the second game running, contained Waterford’s front players throughout.
The Blues threat was minimal. Padraig Amond had as quiet a game as he’s have had since his return to the League of Ireland. Drogheda deserve all the credit for that, as much as Long will be disappointed with his side.
Pierrot’s goal was fortuitous but they all count and a long-awaited strike is no less than he deserved. This was the ex-Athlone Town man’s best performance in claret and blue.
Louis Jones, a debutant in goal for Waterford, jumped to claim Andrew Quinn’s flicked header. He claimed it but as he landed, he bumped into Grant Horton and the ball ran loose. It fell perfectly for Pierrot and the finish was simple.
Waterford’s first glimpse at goal didn’t arrive until just before the break and Dennison’s first real test was even later, minutes after the restart. United were never really under serious pressure – bar a brief spell around the 80th minute mark.
They defended manfully and a clean sheet – and a rare one at that – was warranted. Foley ran through on goal in the final minute of normal time and beat Jones to give his side a cushion and relief to the majority of 1,791 inside the modest old ground.
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn, David Webster, James Bolger; Elicha Ahui, Luke Heeney, Ryan Brennan (Darragh Markey, 70), Shane Farrell (Warren Davis, 96), Conor Kane; Frantz Pierrot (Adam Foley, 73), Douglas James-Taylor.
Waterford: Louis Jones; Darragh Power, Grant Horton, Darragh Leahy, Robbie McCourt; Niall O’Keeffe (Barry Baggley, 65), Dean McMenamy; Christie Pattisson (Samuel Bellis, 80), Ben McCormack (Samuel Glenfield, 65), Connor Parsons, Padraig Amond.
Referee: Paul Norton
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