The Blues also carried a threat from set pieces, but Gypsies fans will be pleased to see the new look backline holding firm for their second clean sheet in a row.

Going forward, there was a bit more zip about the play as the side looked to play quicker and create more as a result. The creative Keith Ward stung the palms of Paul Martin early on and looked to come in off the left hand side to get involved throughout.

The deadlock was broken, and deservedly so, just before the break as the Bohs pressure finally told.

Many first goal-scorer bets were ripped up when unlikely hero Cornwall was on hand to tap home, despite Martin’s excellent save from a thunderbolt of a free-kick from Tyreke Wilson against his old club.

The Gypsies started the second half on the back foot and really could have found themselves level.

The visitors were thankful that Blues skipper Kyle Ferguson’s free header in the box was straight at the relieved Talbot, following a couple of high balls into the area.

This warning shot seemed to wake Keith Long’s troops up and they in turn showed some encouraging creativity in the final third.

A lovely quick passing move including Ward and Liam Burt resulted in a low cross from the winger just inches away from the toe of Georgie Kelly just before the hour mark.

Things were freshened up just minutes later with the introduction of Jack Moylan and Dawson Devoy for Ross Tierney and the aforementioned Ward.

Moylan took up the right hand side berth and the pacey Burt switched over to the left wing, and was beginning to show glimpses of what he is capable of with his direct running and skill to beat his man.

It was this exact avenue that should have resulted in Bohs doubling their lead, with man of the match Burt flying down the left, leaving defenders in his wake, then cutting back cleverly to the penalty spot but Moylan could only side-foot his effort straight at the keeper.

There was a little worry creeping in now that, despite their dominance and continued threat, that the lead was just 1-0 going into the final 10 minutes, and a late corner for the hosts did nothing to ease the nerves.

A poor delivery, followed by a lightning quick break, however, saw Devoy clean through on goal.

But the talented youngster was just unable to get the ball fully under control and snatched at his shot slightly, hitting it straight at Martin, who to his credit performed excellently on the night following the surprise omission of former Bohs keeper Brian Murphy.

Although unable to match the performance or tempo of the previous week at Oriel Park, and frustrated that they failed to make their numerical advantage pay when Waterford played the last 25 minutes a man down due to Tshipamba’s injury, there were certainly positive signs of this Bohemians side continuing to gel.

Now, after two away games on the trot, Bohs will look to build on back-to-back victories when they return to the Home of Irish Football on Tuesday night as Sligo Rovers make the trip to Dalymount Park.

Waterford: Paul Martin, Darragh Power, Jamie Mascoll, Kyle Ferguson (c), Cameron Evans, James Waite (Jack Stafford 56), Isaac Tshipamba, Tunmise Sobowale, Adam O’Reilly (Katlego Mashigo 61), John Martin, Daryl Murphy (Prince Mutswunguma 36). Unused substitutes: Niall O’Keeffe, Eric Molloy, Shane Griffin, Matthew Connor, Josh Collins.

Bohemians: James Talbot, Rory Feely, Rob Cornwall, James Finerty, Tyreke Wilson, Keith Ward (Dawson Devoy 63), Ross Tierney (Jack Moylan 63), Keith Buckley (c) , Ali Coote, Liam Burt, Georgie Kelly. Unused substitutes: Stephen McGuinness, Anto Breslin, Ciarán Kelly, Conor Levingston, Promise Omochere, Bradley Rolt, Thomas Oluwa.

Referee: Adriano Reale.