The Blues were hit with an early Sean Murray goal at the RSC which set up a game predicted reluctantly by the boss Marc Bircham.
Speaking on last weeks "On The Ball with Nigel Kelly", the London native remarked that he was concerned with his team's habit of turning up in the second half when the pressure had come on.
Saying he went around the changing room one player at a time last weekend and in no uncertain terms told them what they needed to do to avoid being hooked; he once again last night needed to deliver some harsh truths before sending his team back out at to claw back a point from Dundalk.
The performance is only one layer to the story, as the standards of refereeing which has come under scrutiny in recent weeks once again became the subject of the post-game analysis.
A first-half free-kick for Dundalk - which resulted in a goal - should never have stood. The ball was dropped to the ground, and while still in motion, was lofted down the right flank to Daniel Kelly who found an on-charging Sean Murray amid the crowded box, beating Brian Murphy on his left side.
Dundalk take an early lead! 😲
Sean Murray with the goal as the Lilywhites move out of the relegation play-off spot as it stands 📈
9' @WaterfordFCie 0-1 @DundalkFC
Sign up 📺 | https://t.co/vfkMjbvRwA#LOITV | #LOI pic.twitter.com/TGn6kGsgvj— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) September 3, 2021
Speaking to Matt Keane at full time, the former QPR midfielder was quick to point out that while he didn't want to be seen criticising an official for the second week in a row, it couldn't go without being mentioned.
It's a rolling ball on a free-kick. Going into them [the referee] at the end, he said he seen it. If he didn't see it, fair enough, but one of the team should see it.
It's wrong. Twice, and he's hit it. You'd be disappointed seeing that at U14 football
Aside from the goal scored by Dundalk to take the lead, Bircham was also out of sorts over not being compensated for a late handball from Dundalk
I'm very disappointed that the defender didn't get sent off for handball at the end. He's handballed it, Greg's [Haford] going to be through 1 on 1, and they've said he didn't really mean it.
They think it weren't deliberate, but then if it's not a deliberate handball then it's not a free kick. It's one or the other, it's either a free-kick and a red card, or it's not a free-kick.
