DERRY CITY extended their lead at the top of the Premier Division on Saturday night, when they notched up their latest win over neighbours Finn Harps.
Harps, who have never beaten Derry City, started the game brightly; but in the end Derry's class was too much and a period of sustained pressure yielded the all important goal.
City keeper Tony O'Dowd was the busier of the two in the first half, making saves from Minnock and McGrenaghan; but in the second half he became a virtual, spectator.
A Liam Coyle header in the 46th minute rattled the crossbar and signalled Derry's intentions for the second half.
Darren Nash was called into action in the 59th minute to save from Coyle. And a minute later he tipped a Paul Hegarty shot around the posts.
The goal finally came in the 77th minute when Sean Hargan headed home at the near post following a Paul Hegarty corner. The Derry defence held out in the remaining minutes to deny Harps an equaliser they scarcely deserved.