Waterford held by Dundalk as Blues squander late chances

Conan Noonan of Waterford in action against Declan McDaid of Dundalk. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Premier Division: Waterford 1 (Hayden Cann 37) Dundalk 1 (John Mahon OG 21)

Waterford FC were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by Dundalk FC at the RSC despite creating enough chances to claim all three points.

The Blues made a bright start and threatened inside the opening ten minutes when Padraig Amond's header picked out Conan Noonan, but the winger dragged his effort wide.

Waterford should have gone ahead shortly afterwards. Hayden Cann released Jorgen Voilas through on goal, but Dundalk goalkeeper Enda Minogue produced an excellent save before recovering quickly to deny Amond on the rebound.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure and were inches away from opening the scoring on 12 minutes. 

Noonan slipped Voilas in behind the defence, only for the striker to rattle the near post. Amond followed up, but Minogue scrambled across to gather on the goal line.

Dundalk's first meaningful chance arrived through Daryl Horgan, whose effort forced Stephen McMullan into a smart stop, and the visitors took the lead against the run of play in the 21st minute. 

Benny Couto's attempted clearance fell kindly for John Ross Wilson and his cross from the right was inadvertently turned into his own net by Waterford defender John Mahon.

Waterford responded positively and were denied several times by the inspired Minogue. The goalkeeper tipped over a powerful Amond header before producing another outstanding save from Mahon following a corner.

The deserved equaliser eventually arrived eight minutes before the break. Couto delivered a dangerous corner and Cann rose highest in the box to power a header beyond Minogue for his first league goal of the season.

Waterford nearly completed the turnaround before half-time when Noonan met a Voilas cross at the back post, but his header drifted narrowly wide.

The second half was a tighter affair as Dundalk defended resolutely and limited clear-cut opportunities. The visitors almost snatched victory late on when Cian Dillon's attempted lob drifted over the crossbar.

Waterford, however, had the best openings in the closing stages. Tom Grivosti cleared Amond's effort off the line before Voilas headed straight at Minogue, while in stoppage time Tommy Lonergan somehow steered a close-range effort wide.

Despite dominating large periods and creating the better chances, Waterford were forced to settle for a point.

WATERFORD FC: McMullan; Cann, Long, Mahon, Couto; Voilas, Mawene, McLaughlin, Noonan; Amond, Lonergan.

DUNDALK FC: Minogue; Wilson (Warren 61), Animasahun, Grivosti, Vassenin (Groome 72); Gaxha (McDaid 61), Buckley (Dervin 61), Teahan, Tracey (Burns 61), Horgan; Dillon.

Referee: Lucas Keating (Cork).

Attendance: 1,977