After such a solid early season start, Finn Harps’ grip on the First Division appears to be slipping rapidly.
Ollie Horgan’s side make the long trip home from Waterford after another missed opportunity to restart their season after a number of slip-ups in recent games.
Two first half goals by the home side effectively left Harps facing a mountainous task in the second half.
But despite a spirited comeback with at least three chances falling to Sean McCarron, Harps couldn’t get on the scoreboard.
With the influence of the suspended Keith Cowan in the heart of their defence, Harps went behind in the 17th minute through Paddy Barrett.
When Jack Doherty made it 2-0 just before the break in the 44th minute, Harps were already ruing the long journey home the length of the country.
There’s no question Harps were missing the steadying feet and power of Cowan in defence and the skill and pace of Ruairi Keating up front.
But Ollie Horgan knows he will have to get back to winning ways if the season is not to slip beyond the Ballybofey club’s reach in the coming games.