Goals in either half from Sam Todd and Ryan Burke ensured Bohemians retain a mathematical interest in the Premier Division title race heading into the final two weeks with a 2-1 win at Dalymount Park over a Waterford side who remain in the promotion/relegation play-off spot.

The Dubliners bowed out of the FAI Cup at the semi-final stage to the same opposition exactly one week prior but there was to be no repeat of their 2-0 defeat in front of a crowd of 4,011.

Hitman Pádraig Among had levelled for the Blues just before the break and Tommy Lonergan had a precious opportunity to turn the tables shortly after the restart, but his poor penalty evaded the right-hand post.

And Bohemians were good value for their victory to move within three points of league leaders Shamrock Rovers after the champions were beaten 2-0 at Galway United.

The home side very nearly had their noses in front inside 30 seconds as Connor Parsons cut inside from the left and arrowed a low shot that was deflected by Hayden Cann, which took the sting out the effort just enough for Stephen McMullan to gather in the Blues goal.

McMullan was called once more into action moments later as Burke stole in down the left and fizzed a ball across goal and the keeper did well to palm it clear.

There was little the stopper could do minutes later, however, as Jordan Flores' corner from the left was met by Todd and the Donegal centre-half powered home a free header at the back stick.

Waterford did manage to graft their way back into the game as the first half reached its mid-way point but Tommy Lonergan’s backheel from Conan Noonan’s cross did not unduly trouble netminder Paul Walters.

Bohs continued to have the better of the play, however, and Parsons skipped Jordan Houston’s tackle and played a reverse ball for Douglas James Taylor. The English marksman skipped inside Cann’s challenge but could only bend his shot wide of the post.

And Sadou Diallo’s free kick found full back Ryan Burke in acres of space in the Waterford box but his low strike was easily caught by McMullan.

Waterford continued to carry a threat on the counter and Walters reached high to tip Luke Heeney’s effort over the bar from close range after the Gypsies failed to clear their lines.

It was only a brief reprieve though as Noonan’s resulting corner found Amond in acres of space and he needed little invitation to head home from close range.

And Noonan had a shot of his own moments later as the Blues looked to build on their momentum but his tame effort on the right edge of the box was well fielded by Walters.

And Lonergan missed a golden chance from the spot for Waterford four minutes into the second half, pulling his effort from 12 yards wide of the post after Cian Byrne felled John Mahon in the box.

Bohs wrested their way back on top just past the hour and it was a wonderful run from Burke to skip past two challenges and bury the ball low in the bottom corner.

The home side could have wrapped it up with 20 minutes remaining as a mazy Harry Vaughan run finished as he laid the ball off to James Taylor but, with the goal at his mercy, the striker’s heavy touch allowed McMullan to gather.

And sub Niall Morahan was unfortunate to see his effort in the closing stages crash back off the outside the net after dribbling in from the left.

Colm Whelan could have put the icing on the cake deep in injury time as he was sent clear on goal but a heavy touch allowed McMullan to nip in and clear.

Bohemians: Paul Walters; Cian Byrne, Sam Todd, Ryan Burke (Patrick Hickey 79), Darragh Power; Sadou Diallo (Niall Morahan 74), Jordan Flores, Harry Vaughan (Markuss Strods 74); Ross Tierney, Connor Parsons (Dayle Rooney 90+4), Douglas James Taylor (Colm Whelan 74).

Waterford: Stephen McMullan; Jordan Houston (Dean McMenamy 86), John Mahon, Kevin Long, Hayden Cann, Benny Couto; Luke Heeney (Jorgen Vollas 79), Conan Noonan, Noah Mawene (Evan McLaughlin 79); Pádraig Amond, Tommy Lonergan.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Donegal).