Waterford United's promotion blues continue following sequence of events where not even a 2-1 win over Monaghan United could clinch promotion. It was a day for transistor radios in the large RSC crowd, as they waited anxiously to hear how promotion rivals Drogheda were progressing against the side that drew with Waterford United last week, Galway United. The news was not good.

The hosts produced the type of start which they needed - forcing Monaghan keeper Robbie o'Dowd into an excellent double save, pushing away Tony Hall's goalbound header from a Colin Fanning free-kick, and then Trond Debes was denied on the rebound, his thumping effort being smothered superbly.

With Waterford's pressure, they had to take an early lead, and did so afetr 14 minutes. Again, it was Fanning causing the problems form a dead-ball situation, but this time nobody connected. It curled brilliantly over the wall and past the flaying arms of Robbie O'Dowd.

The visitors didn't take this lying down and themselves had a fine opportunity ten minutes after going behind. Lee King tested Blues custodian John Grace with a 20-yard stinging effort. grace grabbed it well, but there are so many other keepers who could made a total mess of it.

On 27 minutes, the Blues went two up, and guess who created it. Colin Fanning zipped down theleft, beating John Doolin, and finding the head of Donal Golden to perfection. 2-0, and United were coasting. Now all they needed were goals, and quite a few of them.

At the same time at United Park, the Blues' promotion rivals Drogheda United were having problems against Galway United, though they did have an early effort from Darrell Mooney after only four minutes stopped well by Galway reserve keeper Gabby Higgins. But Drogheda eventually made the breakthrough after 41 minutes. A Declan Roche free-kick from the right was headed home by Colin Tresson.

With the obvious half-time news that Drogheda had just gone ahead, it was all out attack from the Blues at the start of the second half. Fanning once more got into a superb position, but this time struck just wide. A further Fanning chance was perfectly on target, but was scrambled off the line by Monaghan defender John Doolin.

In Drogheda meanwhile, the hosts were given the perfect opportunity to clinch promotion when a foul on goalscorer Tresson resulted in a penalty for Drogheda. Tresson took it himself, but was denied by a quite magnificent Gabby Higgins save. Higgins dived to his right, and pushed it away to give Waterford a fantastic opportunity of taking advantage - if they knew about it.

But Drogheda kept up the pressure, and netted on 61 - five minutes after missing the penalty - when Billy Clery lost his footing, lost possesion, and gave Noel Reid the chance to run through and slip past Higgins to make it 2-0. Now it was getting interesting...

By the time the news had filtered down to Waterford, Pat Sinnott had come on for Paul Scully to try and bring some fresh spark to the Blues, and this he did, coming close twice soon after coming on.

With both promotion contenders 2-0 up, Drogheda had the better goal difference by one goal, but this margin improved for them when Monaghan put the spanner in the works. Lee King crossed form the right and James O'Callaghan raced in at the far post to nod home. 2-1 for Waterford, and now the mountain got bigger.

To their credit, the Suirsiders didn't give up. Donal Golden located the crossbar with a delicate chip and Darren Browne struck a glorious chance off the post. Sinnott caused mayhema agin, having another shot cleared off the line, and fellow Wexfordman Darren Browne had two magnificent chances fly inches away on both occasions.

The breaks that Drogheda United needed then arrived, because they managed to do what Waterford couldn't - score their third.

After his first effort was pushed away by Higgins, Noel Reid pounced to head home his second, Drogheda's third, and the goal that effectively sent them up.

There was still time for youthful right back Alan Murphy to show his potential by zooming down the right, creating a headed goal for Colin Tresson. Four-nil, end of story.

Darren Browne came close one more time down South, having another fruity effort hacked off the Monaghan line. It wasn't to be, and Waterford had to be content with a play-off spot against Drogheda's near-neighbours and fallen heroes Dundalk.

The celebrations at United Park were in stark contrast with the sombre cloud hanging over the RSC, but Blues boss Tommy Lynch had one defiant message:
"How many chances did we miss? i couldn't believe it. The chances kept coming and we kept refusing them. Two months ago we would have been chuffed if we found ourselves in a play-off. We will be giving everything we have against Dundalk."

Monaghan manager Tom o'Connor was rather realistic in saying: "In a game like this, you have to take your chances. Waterford failed to do so."

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