LIMERICK and Monaghan United maintained their promotion bids with victories.

Limerick FC 3 Athlone Town  1

Goals from skipper Pat Purcell, Jeffrey Judge and Corie Treacy kept Limerick's fragile promotion hopes alive as they laboured to beat Athlone at Jackman Park.

Central defender Purcell gave Limerick a deserved lead on the half hour when powering the ball home from Rory Gaffney's corner.

Further poor defending from a corner brought Limerick's second goal four minutes before the break with midfielder Judge volley to the net from just out side the area.

Noel McGee got a goal back for Ahtlone when converting a cross from Mark Sherlock on 58 minutes.

With Athlone pressing for an equliser, Treacy eased the home nerves with a third goal on 86 minutes,  

  

Mervue United 0 Monaghan United 1

Ryan Brennan's late winner moved Monaghan top of the First Divisoin table with two matches to play.

Mervue, who'd beaten Roddy Collins' side twice this season, looked to be about to continue to have the Indian sign over Monaghan until the 88th.

Michael Isichei's cross found Brennan in the area and the midfielder fired his shot past keeper Brian Donoghue.

Mervue pressed and might have levelled in stoppage time. 

First Alex Lee blazed over the bar before Etanda Nkololo's corner was cleared off the line.

 

Wexford Youths 0 Waterford United 2

A late double from Waterford gave them bragging right in the southeast derby at Ferrycarrig Park.

Paul Phelan finally broke the deadlock on 87 minutes to put Blues ahead when tapping home the loose ball after defender Karl Keogh headed a cross from Dwayne Willson onto his own bar.

Sean Maguire added the second two minutes later when tapping home after Youths' keeper Packie Holden couldn't hold a shot from Phelan.

Holden then allowed his frustration get the better of him as he was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away.