John Power scored two second half penalties as Waterford United consolidated their second place in the First Division table with a decisive 4-1 defeat of St Francis at Baldonnel yesterday. They now sit a point behind leaders Bray Wanderers whom they meet in a top-of-the-table clash at the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night.

Waterford put their poor goalscoring form behind them to take a second minute lead (Tommy Hewitt) and then added to it 14 minutes later (Alan Reynolds) before Power's two second half penalties completed the rout to give Tommy Lynch's side their biggest win of the season.

Alan Mullen scored St Francis's consolation goal six minutes from time with a long-range shot.

Limerick slipped two points behind, but remain third, as they drew 1-1 with Home Farm in front of their biggest crowd of the season at Hogan Park.

Home Farm, however, went home the more disappointed, having dominated the game from start to finish. As it was, they had to settle for a 57th minute penalty equaliser from Stephen Gifford after Derek Whyte had fouled Trevor Vaughan inside the box. Barry Ryan had put Limerick in front against the run of play after 38 minutes.

Fergal Coleman scored the fastest goal of the domestic season when his strike against Longford after just 17 seconds proved enough to give Galway United their third successive win and move them up to fourth place in the table.

It was a good Saturday night all round for Galway, watched by a crowd of some 1,000, their largest of the season. John Brennan and Eric Levine set up a Ryan Lucas shot and although his shot came back off a post, Coleman reacted well to knock home the rebound.

Longford were under pressure throughout much of the game but wasted their only real chance on 34 minutes when Damien Gannon shot tamely wide when through in a one-on-one with Galway goalkeeper Gabby Higgins.

Cobh Ramblers' troubles continued with their fourth defeat on the trot at Monaghan to leave them joint bottom with Longford. It began well for Cobh who took a 29th minute lead through Rory O'Connor, but Monaghan levelled on 38 minutes when James O'Callaghan scored from a 20 yard free-kick.

Ken Brien then got the winner 10 minutes from time with a 30 yard drive.

Dubliner Vinny Arkins blasted Portadown to the top of the Irish League Premier Division with a derby hat-trick. Arkins demolished Glenavon, who went down to a shattering 5-1 defeat at Mourneview Park, which lifted Portadown to the top on goal difference from Cliftonville.