Dundalk still level after first leg

Oriel Park erupted as a stoppage-time penalty from veteran striker Trevor Vaughan earned Dundalk a deserved 1-1 draw against Waterford United in the first leg of the eircom League play-off.

Kenny Browne had silenced the 2,000 home fans in attendance with an early goal that looked like it would give the visitors a slender lead to take back to the RSC on Saturday.

The centre-half rose unchallenged at the back post on three minutes to head past a helpless Chris Bennion after Alan Cawley's corner had been flicked on by James Chambers.

It was a dream start for the visitors, but they had to ride their luck for much of the remainder of the game as Dundalk went in desperate search of an equaliser.

Indeed, only the woodwork denied the home side getting back to level terms in first half stoppage time, as Keith Dunne's free-kick on the right came crashing back off the crossbar.

It looked as if Gareth Cronin's side would hold out for the win until a Doran overhead kick was handled in the box and experienced Vaughan sent Ben Spicer the wrong way with the calmest of finishes.