Two goals from Owen Garvan and a first-half strike from Kevin Lisbie saw Town to victory in the first of two games on the mini tour of Ireland.

Paul Walsh went close with a header over the bar as Waterford started the game at a good pace and backed by an enthusiastic support.

Gareth McAuley had a header hacked clear from a Garvan corner on seven minutes, Lisbie then seeing a shot blocked after good work by Veliche Shumulikoski and Jordan Rhodes.

Rhodes had the ball in the net just after the half hour but not before the assistant referee's flag was raised but Blues did take the lead soon after, Lisbie firing in from 20 yards after Rhodes had teed him up.

Waterford 'keeper Michael Devine denied Lisbie low down following a reverse pass from Rhodes as Blues went in at half-time a goal up.

Town made two changes at the break, young triallist Shane O'Connor making way for Tommy Smith at left-back, with Liam Trotter on for David Norris.

Garvan extended the lead three minutes after the restart, firing in through a crowded goalmouth and the Republic of Ireland U21 international had another effort held by Devine.

The home 'keeper was fortunate to see Rhodes and McAuley fail to take advantage after he dropped the hard working Alan Quinn's corner but on 62 minutes, Blues had the ball in the net for a third time with Garvan busting through the home defence before beating Devine.

Trotter fired just wide in the final seconds as Roy Keane's side eased to a second pre-season victory in three days following the 3-1 success at Brentford on Wednesday, with a visit to Cork to come on Sunday.

Town: R.Wright, Bruce, McAuley, Balkestein, O'Connor (Smith 46), Norris (Trotter 46), Shumulikoski, Garvan, Quinn, Lisbie (Stead 62), Rhodes (Wickham 62).

Photos with thanks to Ken Sutton