Sean Boyd rises from the bench to keep Shels at the summit

Sean Boyd scored for the third consecutive match to keep Shelbourne top of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division table.

Introduced as a 61st-minute substitute, the big striker got the only goal of the game 11 minutes later to earn what was only Shelbourne's second win in 10 games and keep Damien Duff's side a point clear of Derry City at the summit.

It was Boyd’s fifth goal of the season, his first an equaliser in the first meeting of these sides at the RSC on the opening night, soon after which he was sent off.

The result was tough on Waterford goalkeeper Sam Sargeant who had made a string of brilliant saves to keep Waterford, who hadn’t lost in their previous three visits to Dublin this season, in the game.

With four changes from last week’s disappointing 1-1 home draw with Drogheda United, Shelbourne manager Duff demanded more energy from his side and they were at it from the off here.

Sean Gannon had an appeal for a handball by Robbie McCourt not entertained while seconds later John Martin won a tackle to then collect a clever back heel from Matty Smith and bring a terrific tip over save from Sargeant.

The Blues keeper was there again to rescue his side on seven minutes, alertly out from his goal to save at the feet of Smith who had been put through one-on-one from skipper Mark Coyle’s incisive pass.

Having weathered the early Shels onslaught, Waterford played their way into the game, threatening for the first time on 20 minutes. Conor Parsons cut in from the right to thread a ball through for the run of Dean McMenamy whose drive was blocked by Gavin Molloy.

It was the 37th minute before Shelbourne regained their early impetus.

Clever feet from Smith saw him work several one-twos across the edge of the Waterford area to