Commentary Box: Dundalk have managed two wins in their last 10 league games

Waterford were guilty of missing some glorious chances that should have ensured they got the win. Dundalk did get the lead, but as usual they could not hold on to it.

Once again it was a concession from a set piece that was to prove their undoing. It was a real chance for Dundalk to strengthen their hold on the fourth-placed spot, as closest rivals Shelbourne were beaten.

It was Derry who won in Tolka with a late goal. They are just four points behind Dundalk and play Ciaran Kilduff's men in the second last game of the season at the Brandywell.

Ciaran Kilduff made four changes to the team that were beaten by Derry in the cup the previous Sunday. On Friday they faced a Waterford side who were the in-form team in the league.

Bottom of the table when Graham Coughlan came in as manager, they are now third from bottom. They looked to be dead and buried and heading for Division One. Now they are ten points clear of automatic relegation place.

They are two points clear of the play off zone.Once again, as in Derry, the Dundalk defence was poor. Indeed, but for a number of fine saves by Enda Minogue, Dundalk's challenge would have wilted completely by half-time.

But the Dundalk keeper was still guilty of giving away a needless corner that led to their equaliser. He was also guilty of not dominating his penalty area for much of the game, particularly in the second half.

Dundalk were able to get the point because of a series of excellent saves by Enda Minogue and poor finishing by Waterford. Dundalk also made the most of very limited opportunities they got to take home the point.

Waterford are unbeaten in 12 games now. They were favourites to win the game. Padraig Amond and Thomas Lonergan caused endless problems in attack.

But it was a former Dundalk player Hayden Cann who got the vital equaliser for the home side on 37 minutes. Dundalk had led after 21 minutes when JR Wilson's cross was deflected into his own net by John Mahon.

Ironically, Mahon had just received the Soccer Writers' Player of the Month award for August before kick off. After the game, stats showed that Dundalk made 15 goal-scoring attempts in the game.

Waterford had seven shots on target. Dundalk only had one. This reflects poorly on Ciaran Kilduff's men and is a reflection how much they have slumped in form since the beginning of June.

Dundalk did have 60 per cent of the possession in the game. Waterford had 40 per cent. Waterford forced six corners in the game. Dundalk had seven. Waterford won eight tackles for the entire 90 minutes.

Dundalk won nine. Dundalk picked up yellow cards to Waterford's none. Waterford only committed six fouls while Dundalk committed 12.The result meant that Dundalk have only managed to win two of their last 10 league games.

They have the third-worst defence, conceding forty six goals in 30 games. In all competitions so far this season. That's including the FAI Cup. All season, Dundalk have not been able to deal with set pieces.

Friday night was no different. That's how Waterford equalised. They were also guilty of missing some really good chances. I thought Dundalk were poor last Sunday week against Derry.

At times they were even worse on Friday. Yet they did well to manage to grind out a draw and a point at a ground that is always difficult to get a result from.The manager went with Minogue in goals.

His back four were Vassenin and TJ Wilson at full-back. Grivosti and Mayowa were the centre-backs. Shane Tracey and Keith Buckley were initially deployed in front of the back four.

Daryl Horgan, Ronan Teahan and Leo Gaxha were in front of these two. Cian Dillon was the loan striker. Kilduff skilfully did manage to switch his players' positions throughout the game.

TJ Wilson was replaced by Harvey Warren on 60 minutes. Harvey was returning from an injury that has kept him out for most of the season. Keith Buckley was also replaced on 61 minutes by Aodh Dervin.

Declan McDaid replaced Leo Gaxha on 61 minutes. Shane Tracey was replaced by Robbie Burns on 61 minutes, while Vassenin was replaced by Groome on 72 minutes.

Ratings. Minogue 7. Vassenin 6. TJ Wilson 6. Mayowa 6. Grivosti 7. Buckley 6.Teahan 7. Buckley 6. Tracey 6. Horgan 6. Dillon 5 Gaxha 5. Subs used. Warren 5. Aodh Dervin 7. Declan McDaid 6. Robbie Burns 6. Groome 5.

There is no doubt that Enda Minogue played very well in the first half. He took off a succession of fine saves. He was indirectly responsible for the Waterford equaliser.

Eight minutes from the break, under no pressure, he carelessly knocked a ball off the back of his own player. The ball went out for the corner. Couto put the corner into the crowded penalty area.

There was nobody there to clear the ball. Hayden Cann, unmarked, finished the ball to the net. Where was the defence? There was nobody there to clear the ball to safety. Enda was named man of the match by the media. I congratulate him.

He did make some fine saves, but he still failed to deal with key crosses, particularly in the second half. He did not come off his line. Thankfully, he did not concede any goals in that half. Waterford should have been ahead in the first fifteen minutes.

Conan Noonan fired wide early on. Then Enda Minogue took off a top class double save. Jorgen Voilias and Padraig Amond were both denied by the Dundalk keeper. Voilas then came back at Dundalk. He cracked a shot that came off the Dundalk post.

Amond pounced on the rebound. Minogue reacted superbly to prevent Amond from scoring. Dundalk then broke away in the 21st minute. Benny Couto's attempted clearance fell to JR Wilson. It was turned into his own net by John Mahon.

Waterford came roaring back. Minogue kept out an Almond header and a close-range John Mahon effort. Couto pumped in a corner. The ball came to the rising Cann, whose header nearly burst the net.

The second half was much quieter; Shane Tracey had a quiet game for Dundalk. It's understandable after the cup game in Derry on the Sunday before and facing Waterford five days later. He shot over early on in the second half.

Then he was booked for taking down Mawene on the edge of the Dundalk box. Gaxha was fouled on 59 minutes on the edge of the Waterford box. Daryl Horgan was just not able to take advantage.

His free kick was blocked by a strong Waterford wall. That was on 61 minutes. Ciaran Kilduff then made four changes. They helped to tighten things up well for Dundalk.

Aodh Dervin did go on great run. His pile driver from 25 yards was not far away. Vassenein, who is only 18 and on loan from Shamrock Rovers. sustained a possible head injury in 71 minutes.

Waterford should have scored in another attempt. A great cross into the box beat Minogue. Lonergan failed to finish a glorious opportunity. Dervin worked his socks off in midfield.

Why he was not on from the start, I just do not know. He put Groome away with a great pass. The Dundalk midfielder should have scored. Instead, his lob was narrowly over. Waterford came back at Dundalk in the dying minutes.

Amond had a shot in a crowded goalmouth that looked a goal all the way. The ball was somehow cleared off the line by Grivosti. Waterford got their 9th corner of the game two minutes into injury time.

Enda Minogue came for the ball but missed it. The ball was cleared frantically away. The game finished level. It was a fair result despite all of the domination by Waterford.Dundalk now have six games left in their season.

It became six after last night's home game against Pats. Next Friday, Dundalk will take on Shelbourne in Oriel. They also face Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers in their remaining games at Oriel.

Dundalk will also play Derry and Sligo Rovers, and Galway in their three away games left. It would be great if Shamrock Rovers had to come to Oriel on the last day of the season and needed a win to seal the league title.

Following Friday night's games, Pats and Bohemians were only three points behind the champions. Whatever happens, Dundalk will have some say where the destination of the league title will go.

As before last night, they had to play Pats and now face Rovers and Bohemians as well.I would like to see Sean Spaight getting a good run in the remaining games left for the first team. Sean was on the bench on Friday night.

He never got a run out for the team even though the full selection of five subs were used. Sean is a highly talented player and can be used as a central defender, full back or midfielder. He is also a Republic of Ireland underage international.

I would also like to see Luke Mulligan being given a run in these last few games as well. Luke only completed his Leaving Cert last June at Ballybay Community College. He played a key role in Dundalk getting promotion last season.

The final of the Women's Development League Cup final takes place in Oriel Park on Wednesday, the 23rd of September. Dundalk will take on Wexford FC. The game is at 7.45 pm.

Have a great week. Look after each other and yourselves. And please remember to be very careful out there.