After silencing their home fans with a listless and ineffective firsthalf display, Waterford United came to life in the second period against Derry City at RSC on Saturday.

Unfortunately for Waterford irreparable damage was done in that first half when Derry punished the home side's way-wardness with goals from Michael McHugh and Liam Coyle in the fifth and 30th minutes. United pulled a goal back on the hour through Barry Wood and the final 15 minutes saw Derry subjected to relentless pressure as they conceded a succession of corners. But goalkeeper David Platt pulled off a super save to deny Wood an equaliser on 78 minutes and there was always a Derry leg or body in the way to ensure they took home all three points.

WATERFORD UNITED: J Byrne, J Power, J Frost, T Lynch, S Riordan, T McGrath, K Gannon, P Dully, B Wood, A Reynolds, R Griffin. Subs: J Lacey and P Sinnott for Frost and Griffin (half-time).

DERRY CITY: D Platt, E McCallian, S Hargan, P Hutton, D Kelly, S Gaul, F Gilmore, P Hegarty, L Coyle, G Beckett, M McHugh. Subs: M Kelly for McHugh (25 mins), E Doherty for Coyle (69 mins), and P Curran for Gaul (74 mins).

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).