Shamrock Rovers created enough chances to win this game in which both goalkeepers were outstanding, yet in the end Waterford could have stolen an injury-time victory. On the balance of play United will view this result as a point saved, but it still wasn't enough to prevent them dropping to the bottom of the table.

Home goalkeeper Michael Devine produced a wonderful save to turn Brian Byrne's six-yard drive over the bar on 22 minutes and five minutes before half-time Marc Kenny saw his 28-yard shot fly just over the crossbar. Just before the hour it was Tommy O'Dowd's turn to shine when he produced a brilliant save to deny Jered Sterling.

United's John Frost took the ball off his line from Jason Colwell and Terry Palmer in the 68th and 90th minutes while Devine parried a point-blank effort from Byrne five minutes from time.

The game was two minutes into injury time when Waterford substitute Brendan Markey got in a powerful header from a Sterling cross but the ever alert O'Dowd produced a superb save to round off the evening.

Bottom of the First Division Athlone drew 1-1 last night with Dundalk on the day they sacked manager Joey Malone. Malone was told of the club's decision yesterday after he returned from a short holiday.

WATERFORD UNITED: Devine; Smith, Frost, O'Brien, Riordan, T McGrath, Kirby, D McGrath, Grant, Iorfa, Sterling. Sub: Markey for Iorfa (halftime).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Brazil, Dunne, Purdy, Palmer, Colwell, Robinson, Francis, Lawlor, Kenny, Byrne. Sub: Stewart for Francis (86 mins).

Referee: P McKeown (Dublin).