A Dean Williams penalty 14 minutes from time rescued a point for Longford Town in a 1-1 draw with Waterford at Bishopsagte.
Anthony Wordsworth opened the scoring with a wonderful piece of improvisation on 65 minutes. Williams salvaged a draw from the spot 11 minutes later
The Blues travelled to Longford knowing a win would bolster their chances of survival and Marc Bircham’s men carved out two chances from set pieces inside the opening half-hour.
The first; came eight minutes in. Aaron Robinson fouled Waterford's Quitirna Junior Armando wide on the left.
Greg Halford headed down Phoenix Patterson’s free-kick to captain Niall O’Keefe, his scuffed shot missed the target completely from inside the box.
16 minutes later Patterson was involved yet again, a perfectly weighted left-wing cross found John Martin who failed to direct his header on target.
Lee Steacy was called into action again on 38 minutes. Steacy spilled Patterson’s corner, the ball fell to Shane Griffin whose 20-yard effort sailed over the crossbar.
A minute later Waterford had a flurry of chances. Firstly Junior Armando’s shot deflected off Joe Manley before Shane Elworthy’s blocked John Martin’s subsequent effort.
Manley latched onto the loose ball and cleared the danger as the game remained scoreless at the break. In truth, the scoreboard wasn’t remotely reflective of Waterford’s dominance.
The visitors could’ve rued their inaccuracy within a minute of the resumption when a defensive mistake from Greg Halford presented Town with their first meaningful chance.
Darragh Nugent collected a poor clearance from Halford, his through-ball found Dean Williams who shot straight at Brian Murphy from inside the box.
Town were one-nil down on 65 minutes. Rob Manley headed Halford’s long throw into the path of Wordsworth who rifling into the net from 12-yards.
Town were awarded a penalty 11 minutes later, Eddie Nolan was adjudged to have brought down Dean Williams inside the box.
The Shamrock Rovers loanee converted the spot-kick for his fifth goal of the season and suddenly the hosts were back on level term.
Six minutes from time the pressure on Waterford intensified when they were reduced to ten men. Halford was given his marching orders after being shown a second yellow card.
Aodh Dervin went down following a challenge by Junior Armando before Halford dragged Dervin up from the ground. Halford was already booked for a foul on the same player eight minutes prior.
Neither side created a meaningful chance thereafter as it ended 1-1.
Longford Town: Steacy; Elworthy, Manley, O’Driscoll, Kirk; Dervin, Robinson (68 C Warfield); Nugent, Williams, Davis (68 A McNally); Manley,
Waterford: B Murphy; D Power, G Halford, E Nolan, J Stafford C Evans; J Martin, A Wordsworth, N O’Keeffe, S Griffin (73 C Stringer; 78 K Ferguson); P Patterson, Q Junior Aramando
Referee: Ray Matthews
