Roberto Lopes heads winner as Rovers move closer to the summit

Shamrock Rovers stretched their unbeaten run to five games after goals from Darragh Burns and Roberto Lopes gave them a 2-1 victory over Waterford in front of 3,681 spectators at the RSC.

Robert McCourt did equalise for the hosts through a deflected free-kick, but they weren't level for long as the Hoops regained the lead just ten minutes later.

The packed stands witnessed a slow game, with the two teams almost holding back in a bid to suss one another out.

Both sides had a point to prove, with Waterford looking to make up for a defeat to Sligo Rovers while the Hoops were eager to make up lost ground in the title race.

As a result, and in a bid to keep things fresh, four changes were made to the Blues outfit from Friday and there were five new faces in the Rovers line-up.

This meant a fast start and a number of chances and half-chances were created in the opening ten minutes.

Graham Burke was the first player to go for goal as a tame effort from the striker went straight into the hands of Sam Sargeant.

Rovers then won a corner and Markus Poom headed wide with just the goalkeeper to beat.

This frantic start faded into a period of détente. Waterford used this to figure out a way to deal with Burke, who played in between the lines of midfield and attack, and Rovers tightened up on the right in a bid to stop Ben McCormack and Connor Parsons creating an overlap.

The only real chance during this period was an Aaron Greene header from a Markus Poom cross, and the ball went just wide.

The second half started with a flurry of activity around the Rovers penalty area, and the Hoops came through this burst of activity intact. Their composure was rewarded when a quick ball over the top found Burns, and he slotted in after rounding Sargeant.

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