Owen Garvan scored twice and Kevin Lisbie once as the Blues comfortably defeated Waterford 3-0 at the RSC, but without ever really hitting top gear.

Jordan Rhodes thought he'd put the Blues a goal up in the 30th minute when he lobbed the keeper but the linesman's flag had been raised.

Strike partner Kevin Lisbie finally broke the deadlock on 36 when he rifled home a shot from 25 yards.

Town made two changes at the break, replacing trialist Shane O'Connor and David Norris with Tommy Smith and Liam Trotter. O'Connor had failed to impress at left-back, having played at left wing and up front for the reserves at Gorleston a week ago.

The Blues added to their lead straight after the break when the Waterford keeper spilled Smith's cross and Owen Garvan took a touch before slipping home.

Lisbie shot wide, then on 63 Garvan completed the scoring when he picked up a loose ball and took it forward before beating the keeper.

Late on, Connor Wickham had the ball in the net but the linesman had flagged for Jon Stead being in an offside position and the goal was wrongly disallowed.

Despite the comfortable nature of the victory, the Blues were hardly impressive, lacking width without any natural wingers or pace in the side. Various players including Owen Garvan and Liam Trotter were used in wide roles, but without making a marked improvement.

Town: R Wright, Bruce, O'Connor (Smith 46), McAuley, Balkestein, Shumulikoski, Quinn, Garvan, Rhodes (Stead 63), Lisbie (Wickham 63), Norris (Trotter 46).

Photo: Action Images

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