Report: Waterford FC 3-3 Dundalk FC

Dundalk were forced to settle for a point at the Regional Sports Centre despite leading three times, in what was undoubtedly one of the best League of Ireland games of the season.

The Lilywhites looked on course for a memorable away win only for Waterford defender John Mahon to head home an 88th-minute equaliser and snatch a 3-3 draw for the hosts.

Dundalk made a bright start and hit the front after 14 minutes. Eoin Kenny caused problems down the right before delivering into the area. Daryl Horgan did the rest, showing all his experience to take the ball under control, turn onto his left foot and fire high past Arlo Doherty.

The visitors doubled their lead on 35 minutes. Tyreke Wilson’s cross from the left found his brother JR at the back post, and although his header came back off the upright, Gbemi Arubi reacted quickest to force the rebound over the line from close range.

Waterford, though, were handed a route back into the contest less than five minutes later. Jordan Houston won possession on the right and picked out Tommy Lonergan, who finished past Enda Minogue from six yards to make it 2-1.

The home side drew level on the hour when Hayden Cann moved the ball on to Houston down the right, and his cross was met by Padraig Amond, who finished with the outside of his right foot beyond Minogue.

Dundalk responded well and looked to have delivered the decisive moment with seven minutes remaining. Kenny again found space, this time on the left, before checking onto his right foot and clipping a cross to the far post, where Horgan arrived to head down past Doherty for his second of the night.

With Dundalk working hard to hold out, Waterford found one final answer. From a corner on the left, Evan McLaughlin’s delivery was met by Mahon, whose powerful header flew past Minogue to deny Dundalk all three points.

It was breathless, chaotic and packed with quality, but from a Dundalk point of view it will feel like two points dropped after being in winning positions throughout the night.

Waterford: Doherty; Houston (Johnson 87), Mansfield, Mahon, Cann, Couto (Faria 57); McMenamy (Coyle 87), McLaughlin, Noonan (Glenfield 72); Amond, Lonergan.

Dundalk: Minogue; JR Wilson, Spaight, Animasahun (Warren 66), T Wilson; Groome (Teahan 57), Tracey (Dervin 57), Burns (McDaid 78); Arubi, Horgan, Kenny.

Referee: Daniel Murphy (Dublin) Attendance: 1,667