NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF: First division side Dundalk FC inflicted the final humiliation of a dreadful season for Premier Division Waterford United when the visitors emerged victorious, 2-1, from the play-off at the RSC on Saturday night.

In a tough, no-holds barred battle, United opened the scoring on 69 minutes when Paul McCarthy delivered an excellent pass to Darryl Kavanagh who got past Aidan Lynch before steering the ball past goalkeeper Chris Bennion from 10 yards.

Seven minutes later, Dundalk were level following a controversial penalty awarded by referee Anthony Buttimer who adjudged Kenny Browne to have taken down Philip Hughes in the area. Trevor Vaughan held his nerve and put the ball past Ben Spicer.

The winning goal came with just four minutes to go. Vaughan cut in from the right wing and, on the run, hit a blistering shot that ended up in the corner of the net.

Dundalk should have opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Cathal O'Connor out-sprinted the defence and crossed the ball to the unmarked Philip Hughes who blazed wide from 12 yards.

In the first leg at Oriel Park on Wednesday night, Kenny Browne shot United into the lead in the second minute but, even though Dundalk dominated most of the exchanges from there in, it took a penalty by Trevor Vaughan in the third minute of time added on before the home side equalised.

This season, final league placings do not guarantee promotion or relegation. Dundalk and Waterford are now ranked 12th and 13th respectively in the two leagues and their positions will be taken into account when all other aspects of the proposed new FAI League structure are considered.

WATERFORD UNITED: Spicer; Flynn, Hedderman, Russell, Browne, Hayes, Chambers, McCarthy, Brosnan, Kavanagh, O'Shea.

DUNDALK FC: Bennion; Flanagan, B Kelly, Lynch, S Kelly, R Dunne, K Dunne (Hoey, 21 mins), Marney, Vaughan, Hughes (Kearns, 90 mins), O'Connor (Doran, 65 mins).

Referee: A Buttimer(Cork)