Derry hold firm to end dismal run

Derry City 2 Dublin City 1: Derry City ended their poor run of league results with a deserved victory over basement side Dublin City at the Brandywell last night, and in doing so moved four points clear of last night's opponents.

The home side had gone over 10 hours without a league goal but left-winger Michael Holt rectified matters within four minutes of the start from the penalty spot. Derry were awarded the kick when Dublin defender, Paul Crowley, handled Gerry Gill's cross.

Dublin could have levelled matters in the 18th minute when Gary O'Neill found Cathal O'Connor but his effort was cleared off the Derry line by Paddy McLaughlin.

Derry defender Sean Hargan then doubled his side's lead in the 20th minute. Ciaran Martyn was played through by Alan Murphy and when his shot was blocked by Brendan Kennedy, Hargan drove home home from 12 yards.

Derry then went close to making it 3-0 but Gary Beckett's shot cannoned off a defender after Gill had cut the ball back.

Dublin's difficulties were compounded after the break when they were reduced to 10 men. Central defender Ben Whelehan, who had been booked in the 54th minute, was red carded three minutes later for needlessly knocking the ball out of Pat Jennings's hand following a corner.

And the home side should have ended this game as a contest on the hour when Gill missed close in, slicing the ball wide of an open goal after Martyn had set him up.

The visitors fought their way back into the game in the 61st minute. Derry caretaker manager, Peter Hutton, appeared to collide with his keeper for a high ball allowing Gary O'Neill to head home from the edge of the area.

Derry were struggling, and a minute later Killian Brennan went agonisingly close to equalising, sending a shot narrowly wide of the target.

DERRY CITY: Jennings; McCallion, McLaughlin, Hutton, Hargan; Gill, Martyn, Doherty, Holt; Beckett, Murphy. Subs: Delaney for Hutton (64 mins); McGlynn for Holt (80 mins); Farren for Gill (90 mins).

DUBLIN CITY: Kennedy; Burke, Crowley, Whelehan, Byrne; O'Connor, Colwell, Tierney, Brennan; O'Neill, Hughes. Subs: Ennis for Burke (62 mins), Collins for Brennan (78 mins); Scully for Hughes (88 mins).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).