Waterford's 13-match unbeaten run in the League of Ireland Premier Division is over after a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Shamrock Rovers. The loss at Tallaght Stadium leaves the Blues eighth in the table on 34 points after 32 games.
Evan McLaughlin and Bernardo Piexoto Couto had twice put Waterford ahead, but a quickfire double from Rovers substitute John McGovern in the final 20 minutes turned the game. The result ended a sequence that had seen Waterford take 11 points from their last five matches, a run that included a 2-0 win over leaders St Patrick's Athletic.
McLaughlin and Couto strikes not enough
Waterford's first shot on target arrived after 20 minutes, with Tommy Lonergan forcing a save from Alan McGinty. The breakthrough came ten minutes before half-time when Couto laid off a dropping ball for McLaughlin, who rifled a finish into the roof of the net.
Rovers equalised just before the hour through Aaron Greene, but Waterford responded instantly. A minute later, Lonergan set up Couto on the edge of the area, and the defender cut inside to score with his right foot.
Stephen Bradley's double substitution for the hosts then changed the game. Graham Burke's cross was turned in by McGovern to level the scores on 73 minutes. Two minutes later, Jake Mulraney powered down the left and crossed for McGovern to volley home the winner.
Waterford pushed for a late equaliser, with Hayden Cann hitting the crossbar with a header. McGinty then produced a stunning save to deny Lonergan's follow-up effort. The defeat is a setback for a side that had shown impressive resilience, conceding 54 goals this season but scoring 44.
Top scorer Tommy Lonergan, with nine goals in 35 appearances this campaign, was involved in both Waterford goals but could not find a late equaliser. The team must now regroup ahead of their next fixture, a home match against Galway United on October 9.
First reported at The 42
