Derry City - 3 Bray Wanderers - 0: Derry City reclaimed second spot in the table following this comprehensive defeat of struggling Bray Wanderers at the Brandywell last night.

Having now recorded six wins from seven matches, Stephen Kenny's men continue to keep the pressure on Drogheda, one point behind with a game in hand.

Despite bossing the ball for long periods in the opening half, Derry had to wait until the 39th minute before making their superiority pay. And it was a fluent move which led to the opening goal.

Kevin McHugh picked up possession in midfield before sending Stephen O'Flynn clear on the right and his pass into the danger area saw Ciarán Martyn race in and prod the ball beyond Chris O'Connor.

After the half-time break the home side continued to create chances with Ken Oman and McHugh going close but the introduction of striker Eamon Zayed after an hour began to see Bray play a more prominent role in the proceedings.

Having switched to a 4-4-2 formation, Bray were stunned after five minutes when the home side doubled their lead. A long kick-out by goalkeeper David Forde was flicked on by Killian Brennan and the alert O'Flynn raced clear to drive the ball low into the Bray net.

O'Connor came to Bray's rescue in the 75th minute when he got a hand to Paddy McCourt's curling free-kick which was destined for the top corner.

The home side grabbed a third goal in the 81st minute. McCourt floated over a corner and Peter Hutton controlled the ball on his chest before lobbing the helpless O'Connor from the edge of the area.

With five minutes remaining, the home side broke from defence and when O'Flynn sent Martyn clear he unselfishly played substitute Gary Beckett in but his shot was well saved by O'Connor.

DERRY CITY: Forde; Deery (Hargan, half-time), Hutton, Oman, McCallion; McCourt, Molloy, Martyn, Brennan; McHugh (Beckett, 76 mins), O'Flynn (Cash, 86 mins).

BRAY WANDERERS: O'Connor; Roche, Charles, Tresson, McGovern, Ryan (Tyrrell, 80 mins); James, Caffrey, Fox, Keogh (Zayed, 60 mins); Doyle (Georgescue, 86 mins).

Referee: H Carvill (Belfast).