Dundalk FC 2-3 Waterford FC

John Mahon's acrobatic late goal completed a remarkable Waterford comeback at Oriel Park on Friday night, denying Dundalk a point in a dramatic encounter at Oriel Park.

Ciarán Kilduff's side were utterly dominant in the opening half-hour and looked well placed to close the gap on the sides above them. Eoin Kenny got the Lilywhites off to a perfect start, glancing Daryl Horgan's corner inside the near post in the 10th minute, before Harry Groome added a second with a fiercely struck drive.

Waterford came back into the match towards the end of the first half. First, Tommy Lonergan smacked a post before his stoppage-time header crept over the line to halve the deficit at the break.

The second half brought a different contest. Lynch pointed to the spot on the hour mark, ruling that Bobby Burns had handled Jordan Houston's shot, and Lonergan converted to level. With momentum shifting, Waterford pressed for a winner. Minogue denied Hayden Cann and Houston was kept out by the upright, while Rob Cornwall produced a crucial block to keep Dundalk in contention.

The Lilywhites had chances of their own to retake the lead — Kenny and Horgan both went close — but couldn't find the finish the occasions demanded.

Mahon settled it four minutes from time, producing a stunning acrobatic finish from a long throw into the area that Dundalk failed to deal with.

Dundalk: Minogue; Buckley, Cornwall, Burns, T Wilson; Dervin (Animasahun, 74), Groome (Tracey 68), Teahan; Kenny, Arubi, Horgan.

Waterford: McMullan; Cann, Mahon, Long; Houston (Bailey Coyle, 80), Heeney (Glenfield, 56), Johnson, McMenamy (Voilas, 56), Couto; Lonergan; Amond.

Referee: Marc Lynch