National League / Premier Division / Waterford United 2 Bohemians 0: Going into last night's last game at the RSC, Waterford United had gone five months and 18 league games without a win but, with Pat Dolan alongside manager Brendan Rea in the dug-out, the siege was lifted with a victory that breathes life into the club's battle for survival in the top division.

United opened the scoring in controversial circumstances on 35 minutes. The entire Bohemians defence stood back thinking Rodney Jack was offside but Vinnie Sullivan kept going after latching on to Pat Purcell's long pass and stroked the ball into the net as goalkeeper Matt Gregg made no attempt to save.

Assistant referee Gary Howlett had his flag raised but referee Anthony Buttimer overruled his assistant and, to howls of protest from the Bohemians players and mentors, awarded the goal. In the immediate aftermath Bohemians' assistant manager Gary Howlett was shown a red-card.

Two minutes before half-time United increased their lead when Paul Crowley knocked the rebound to the net after Gregg did well to parry a rasping, low shot from Sullivan.

The element of good fortune really was with United in the first period because, prior to the goals, Bohemians enjoyed the best of the action and could well have been awarded penalties in close succession.

On 75 minutes Mark Keane went close to reducing the deficit but he blazed over the bar from close range after Aidan O'Keeffe's initial effort was blocked down. A minute later United almost increased their lead when Steven Grant was pulled down just outside the area by Aidan Collins. Colm Heffernan took the free and his shot shaved the outside of the far upright.

WATERFORD UNITED: Holden; Breen, Hayes (Lester, 81 mins), Mulcahy, Doherty, Purcell, Crowley, Grant (Andrews, 69 mins), Jack, Sullivan, Heffernan.

BOHEMIANS: Gregg; Rice, Hunt, Harking, Farrelly, Grant, Duggan, Keddy (Keane, 67 mins), O'Keeffe, Collins, Oman (Lee, 45 mins).

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).