NATIONAL LEAGUE/Waterford 2 Dublin City 1: Waterford United maintained their momentum at the top end of the table when they accounted for Dublin City at the RSC, but the tenacious visitors - two goals down after 58 minutes - staged a brave fight-back and could well have snatched a draw at the death.

The game rarely sparkled as the players had to contend with a strong wind and driving rain, but - despite the conditions - there were some wonderful flashes of individual skill.

United opened the scoring on 55 minutes when Kevin O'Brien passed the ball to Darryl Murphy and the under-21 international unleashed a powerful drive from 25 yards that soared gloriously into the top, left corner of the net.

Three minutes later, the Blues went further ahead - again from a long-range strike. Kevin Waters released the ball to John Frost, who squared perfectly for Willie Bruton, and his shot from 20 yards sailed into the top, right corner, bringing his tally to three goals from three games.

It looked then as if United would overwhelm City, but the visitors held their shape and were rewarded with a deserved goal on 78 minutes. A ball from Thomas McGauley was pounced on in a crowded goalmouth by Paul Crowley and he stabbed the ball home from close range.

While City goalkeeper Robbie Horgan pulled off a good save to deny Paul Leahy on 80 minutes, the final 10 minutes saw United back-tracking furiously as City surged forward at every opportunity.

During one of several heart-stopping goalmouth melees, McGauley almost scored a dramatic equaliser but the ball ricocheted off one of his own players.

WATERFORD UNITED: Connor, O'Brien, Frost (Carey, 82 mins), Reynolds (Clifford, 64 mins), Breen, Purcell, Sullivan, Mulcahy, Murphy, Bruton, Waters (Leahy, 74 mins). Subs not used: Banville, Hennessy.

DUBLIN CITY: Horgan, Ennis (Burke, 82 mins), Byrne, Colwell, Whelehan, Crowley, Tierney, Scully (McGauley, 69 mins), Farrell (Hughes, 75 mins), O'Neill, O'Connor. Subs not used: Foy, Kennedy.

Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).