Waterford wrap up the points with late strikes

Two late goals for Waterford United sealed a victory they deserved, but one they were far from certain to secure throughout the last 15 minutes of this Airtricity clash.

A drab first-half was punctuated by a scrappy headed goal by Peter White, the ball creeping over the line thanks to a heavy deflection off Mark Sherlock.

Waterford doubled their lead on 72 minutes after a wonderful move down the left wing was finished by Sean Maguire.

Athlone hit back through Noel McGee’s 75th minute penalty to put pressure on the Blues.

But substitute Peter Keegan made certain of the three points with his tap-in goal to make it 3-1 in the 90th minute.

Left winger Paul Phelan charged down an Athlone clearance, drew Pat Jennings out from his goal and played a perfect ball to give Keegan the easy finish. Maguire’s second goal of the game two minutes later put a gloss on the victory..

ATHLONE TOWN: P Jennings; J Woods, B McCarthy, T Barrett, N Scullion; D Rushe; K Williamson, V Feeney, J Hughes; I Sweeney; M Sherlock.

Subs: N McGee for Rushe, S Guerins for Sweeney, E Keogh for Feeney.

WATERFORD UNITED: P Holden; P Carey, D Breene, C Burns, D Mernagh; P Phelan, G Dempsey, P White, G Keane; B Ryan, S Maguire.

Subs: S Long for Breene, P Keegan for Keane, P Higgins for Ryan.

Referee: Ray Matthews.