Waterford United leapfrogged into the promotion race as a first-half hat-trick from 19year-old Eric Bradley crushed Sligo Rovers 4-1 at the Showgrounds.

Financially-troubled Sligo, who had lost three of their previous four games, had the ideal start with a John Jordan goal after just nine minutes.

But Bradley levelled on 15 minutes to punish a mistake by Wes Charles. The teenager then put Waterford in front on 28 minutes when shooting home the rebound after Kevin Waters' free-kick came back off the Sligo crossbar. The hat-trick duly arrived three minutes before half-time when he ran clear to round Danny O'Leary and slide the ball home. Alan Kirby added Waterford's fourth on 57 minutes.

A controversial late winner saw Dundalk drop eight points behind leaders Athlone as they surprisingly lost 2-1 at Home Farm/Fingal on Saturday night.

Dundalk central defender Padraig Gallogley gave away a free-kick three minutes from time. As Dundalk prepared to defend the dead ball, Aaron Lynch took the kick quickly to find the back of the net.

It was evidently Home Farm's night, as Richie Parsons had given them the lead in the opening minute when forcing home Anto Duggan's free-kick.

Martin Reilly got Dundalk back into the game with an equaliser on 26 minutes when shooting home from 25 yards from a David Ward lay-off.

Managerless Cobh Ramblers ended a run of six straight defeats with a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers St Francis at St Colman's Park.