Premier Division / Waterford Utd 2 UCD 2: Waterford United got off to the best possible start in this vital game for both teams when they opened the scoring after only 45 seconds.

Darryl Murphy touched the ball out to Alan Reilly who crossed into the goalmouth and Vinnie Sullivan tapped home from six yards.

When Murphy missed a sitter from 10 yards two minutes later it looked as if the Blues were on a role, but UCD held their nerve and were back on terms after seven minutes.

United goalkeeper Pat Holden palmed a Tony McDonnell header out for a corner off the butt of the upright and John Frost handled as he attempted to clear Robert McCauley's kick. McCauley took the penalty and, even though Holden dived the right way, he couldn't get a touch on the powerfully struck ball.

Following a period of sustained pressure, UCD took the lead on 35 minutes. Holden did well to turn a Pat Sullivan shot out for a corner that was taken by Alan Cawley and the unfortunate Frost headed into his own net.

Waterford equalised on 69 minutes when Kevin Waters' low, hard shot from 25 yards deflected off defender Sullivan into the net.

UCD had a golden opportunity to take the points two minutes from the end when they were awarded another penalty after Wayne Fitzgerald pushed Gavin Whelan, but, this time, McCauley's kick was saved by goalkeeper Holden.

WATERFORD UNITED: Holden, McLoughlin, Frost, Breen, Mulcahy, O'Brien (Waters, half-time), Fitzgerald, Reilly (Barnes, 85 minutes), Sullivan, Fenn, Murphy. Subs not used: Hayes, Banville, Phelan.

UCD: Jennings, Sullivan, Ryan, McCauley, McNally, McDonnell, Whelan, Cawley, Griffin, Rooney (Martin, 75 minutes), O'Donnell. Subs not used: Davey, McWalter, Gallen, Gallagher.

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).