Waterford Unite 0 Shelbourne 1A relieved Shelbourne recorded their first win of the campaign when, thanks mainly to a first-half performance, they proved too good for bottom-of-the-table side Waterford United at the RSC last night.

In a scrappy encounter, Shelbourne scored the game's only goal five minutes before half-time when a powerful, 35-yard free by Jason Byrne beat the wall and skidded into the net under the body of goalkeeper Jimmy Fyffe.

Shelbourne dominated the first 45 minutes and goalkeeper Steve Williams was never threatened, but his counterpart was kept extremely busy. After only four minutes Joseph Ndo's effort from 20 yards shaved the post. Six minutes later, Glen Crowe was on target but Fyffe did well to save.

Waterford introduced Darryl Kavanagh at half-time and he made an immediate difference as they put Shelbourne under pressure and a Paul McCarthy blockbuster from an Ian Fraher free was deflected out for a corner. On 68 minutes, Waterford's Gavin Doyle intercepted a short passing movement but his shot was weak and Williams snuffed out the danger.

But it was not all one-way traffic and Fyffe had to save from Jason Byrne on 55 minutes and Crowe on 75 minutes.

WATERFORD UNITED: Fyffe, Flynn, Hughes, Deans, Lamberski, Grant, Omoteso (Kavanagh, half-time), McCarthy, Doyle, Fraher, Hawkins.

SHELBOURNE: Williams, Dillon, Hawkins, Harris, Crawley, S Byrne, Ndo, Ryan (Baker, 60 mins), Crowe (O'Neill 82 mins), J Byrne, Moore (Kearney, 69 mins).

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).