St Patrick's Ath - 0 Waterford Utd - 1 Waterford United silenced their critics with an impressive display on their second trip to Richmond Park in a week. It was by no means pretty but it certainly was effective.

They had no intention of repeating Monday's four-goal drubbing by Shamrock Rovers at the same venue. Player-manager Alan Reynolds changed his formation to three centre backs, while the wing backs were not exactly pushing on at every opportunity.

Although a defensively oriented encounter, it was anything but boring.

The goal arrived just five minutes into the game, when Mark Clifford's nicely floated cross to the back post was met by the head of the unmarked Vinny Sullivan.

Before the break, every other meaningful chance fell to St Patrick's Athletic, Paul Osam going close with a header before Alan Carey almost put the ball into his own net.

They continued to ask all the pertinent questions, with Cameroon midfielder Joseph Ndo producing some delightful touches. Despite all the bodies at the back, on 21 minutes Osam almost levelled the contest with a powerful shot that hit the post. The follow-up from Jimmy Lee Jones proved just as fierce but Waterford goalkeeper Dan O'Connor was equal to it.

The expected St Pat's revival failed to materialise after the restart, with Waterford twice coming close in the opening five minutes. Bird almost directed the ball into his own net from a corner but Kevin Waters really should have done better than his tame effort moments later.

Three minutes later the game changed in favour of St Patrick's as Kevin O'Brien, son of Waterford chairman Ger, was given a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident with Keith Fahy.

Moments later, Mark Clifford became the third Waterford player into Damien Hancock's book and Fahy was again the one left sprawled on the deck.

Despite their indiscipline, Waterford held firm at the back.

Lee Jones had a great chance but David Breen got across well to block the shot.

Waterford really should have scored a second goal when, from a Waters free kick, Pat Purcell drifted unmarked to the front post only to miss the ball completely.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Adamson; El Khebir (Byrne, 63 mins), Maguire, Foley, Quigley; Fahy, Ndo, Osam, Dunne (O'Keefe, 70 mins); Bird, Lee Jones (McPhee, 63 mins).

WATERFORD UNITED: O'Connor; Mulcahy, Breen, Purcell; Carey, Clifford, Reynolds, O'Brien, Waters; Sullivan, Murphy.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).