A late, late James Young point earned Laois a deserved draw with Waterford at Ardmore yesterday.

Waterford made the better start with a Seamus Prendergast goal after five minutes. They had a two-point advantage at the end of the third quarter before a goal from Joe Phelan restored the visitors' lead.

Waterford failed to score from two penalties in the closing quarter, before substitute Paul Flynn pointed from a free which seemed to have given victory to the home side until Young sent over the equaliser.

WATERFORD: A Robinson; R Rice, T Feeney, A Kirwan (0- 1); V O'Shea, J Murray, J O'Connor; P Queally, J Coffey; D Shanahan (0-1), J Brenner (0-2), E Murphy; J Mullane (0-2), S Prendergast (1-0), D Howard. Subs: D Prendergast for O'Connor; P Walsh (0-1) for Murphy; P Flynn (0-1) for Brenner.

LAOIS: J Lyons; PJ Peacock, N Lacey, R Delaney; P Mahon, P Cuddy, N Rigney; E Maher (0-2), F Cullinane; J Phelan (1- 1), S Cuddy (0-1), E Fennelly; A Coffey, J Young (0-4), D Conroy. Sub: D Killeen for Cullinane .

Referee: P Dunphy (Kilkenny).