Derry hit on the double

Champions League First qualifying round/FC Pyunik 2 Derry City 0:It was billed as a tough task but Derry City certainly had their chances. Nevertheless, their European dreams are dashed. Pyunik advance to the next round where Ukrainians Shaktar Donetsk lie in wait. John Roberston's side now focus their attention on Galway's visit to the Brandywell on Sunday.

Reflecting on the performance, the new manager said his players were not clinical enough over the two legs, emphasising the chances squandered at the Brandywell last week. "We're a young team and we'll learn," he said. "But that's absolutely no consolation at the moment."

Restoring domestic pride is chief among his priorities this season but Derry will feel disappointed not to have pushed the Armenians harder than they did.

But with temperatures soaring in the 30s, despite the evening kick-off, their task was particularly difficult and conserving energy was paramount. The desperate state of the pitch, too, was another obstacle to overcome.

Naturally, the home side were more creative than a week ago but Derry coped with early pressure. Ken Oman and Darren Kelly worked hard in defence while strikers Sammy Morrow and Kevin McHugh penetrated at the other end, both seeing first-half efforts saved.

Pyunik, though, took the lead on the half-hour. A sweeping counter-attack allowed winger Levon Pachajyan beat Killian Brennan and cross for striker Arsen Avetisyan. Although goalkeeper Pat Jennings blocked the initial shot, defender Eddie McCallion was slow to clear the rebound and Avetisyan prodded home.

The home team killed the tie in the 67th minute. Pachajyan was a constant threat down the right and his cross, though poorly executed, went to Gevorg Ghazaryan and his miscued shot from 16 yards clipped Ken Oman before nestling in the net.

Derry, burdened with an imposing two-goal deficit, still mustered a strong finish and Darren Kelly, who had earlier hit the bar, forced a superb reaction save from goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov at the death.

DERRY CITY:Jennings; McCallion, Oman, Kelly, Brennan; McHugh, Molloy (O'Halloran 41), Martyn, Deery (Higgins 83), McCourt (Farren 65); Morrow.

FC Pyunik:Kasparov; Hovsepyan, Arzumanyan, Dokhoyan, Tadevosyan; Pachajyan, Nazaryan, Mkrtchyan, Mkhitaryan; Ghazaryan, Avetisyan.

Referee:R Krajnc (Slovakia)