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Second-half goals from Shane Duggan and Zack Elbouzedi fired Alan Reynolds’ Waterford FC to a fully-deserved 2-0 win over Cork City.

Alan Reynolds made one change from the draw in Sligo on Monday; Aaron Drinan replacing Scott Twine in attack.

The Blues started well and Kevin Lynch’s cross found Bastien Hery­ but his overhead kick was wide of Mark McNulty’s goal. At the other end, James Tilley found Graham Cummins down the line but his dangerous cross was well held by Blues keeper Matthew Connor.

Tilley tried his luck shortly afterwards but sliced wide of the target, before Kevin Lynch forced Cork City keeper Mark McNulty is a smart one-handed save to stop the ball nestling in the top corner from the defender’s free kick.

Cork City thought they’d taken a 32nd-minute lead when Conor McCarthy found Graham Cummins who headed at goal. Matthew Connor saved the initial effort but Garry Buckley rebound was ruled out for offside.

The Blues had two good chances to get the opener before the break. Bastien Hery played in Zack Elbouzedi but he fired over, before Hery shot narrowly wide after an Aaron Drinan’s break down the left.

Alan Reynolds’ side started the second half well with Shane Duggan forcing McNulty into another excellent save to keep out his powerful, curling strike.

Rory Feely headed straight at McNulty before centreback Dan Casey took another Feely effort off the line.

The Blues got a deserved opening goal as Shane Duggan feigned to shoot before making space to fire at goal from 25-yards beyond McNulty, with the aid of a slight deflection.

McNulty kept out another Duggan chance minutes later before the win was sealed.

As City sent the corner in, Dean Walsh headed clear and Zack Elbouzedi raced clear to fire past McNulty to secure the points.

Waterford FC: Matthew Connor, Aaron Simpson (Georgie Poynton 72), Rory Feely, Damien Delaney, Kevin Lynch (Karolis Chvedukas 56), Bastien Héry, JJ Lunney, Shane Duggan, Zack Elbouzedi, Aaron Drinan, Izzy Akinade (Dean Walsh 90)

Cork City: Mark McNulty, Dan Casey, Shane Griffin, Conor McCarthy, Sean McLoughlin, Garry Buckley, Conor McCormack (Daire O’Connor 77), Gearoid Morrissey, James Tilley, Darragh Crowley (Daniel Smith 67), Graham Cummins (Darragh Rainsford 81)

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)

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