National League/Derry City 1 Drogheda Utd 2: Derry City not only surrendered their impressive unbeaten home record at the Brandywell last night, their title hopes also suffered a severe setback.

Shelbourne's scoreless draw against Longford sees the Dubliners move 10 points clear at the top of the Premier Division table.

The home side were on top, but they created little with Kevin McHugh failing to seriously extend Drogheda goalkeeper Dan Connor with two half-chances.

But the game burst to life early in the second half when Drogheda broke the deadlock, and it was a goal Derry really should have avoided.

A corner by Paul Keegan in the 49th minute, Drogheda's first of the game, seemed to be diverted into his net by Derry's Seán Hargan, when under pressure from Eamon Zayed and Shane Barrett.

But the home side bounced back within 60 seconds.

Gareth McGlynn found Ciarán Martyn in the centre of the park and the Sligo man went on a strong run before driving the ball home from 16 yards.

In the 63rd minute the home side went close again, with Peter Hutton heading over following a Killian Brennan free-kick.

The home side continued to press and in the 72nd minute Darren Kelly flicked on a Seán Hargan throw-in before Martyn's shot was touched over the crossbar.

But disaster struck Derry with eight minutes remaining when Barrett found substitute Sami Ristilla, and the striker got in behind Forde to poke angled shot to the net.

DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Kelly, Hutton, Hargan; McGlynn (Farren, 57), Molloy (Higgins, 69), Martyn, Brennan; McHugh, Beckett.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Lynch, Gartland, Gray, Shelley; Whelan, Robinson, Keegan, Barrett; Zayed, O'Brien (Ristilla, 76).

Referee: Pat Whelan (Dublin).