Derry City 3 Finn Harps 2
Derry City stretched their unbeaten run to eight games with this odd-goal-in-five win against northwest rivals Finn Harps at the Brandywell last night.

Even before the match started, the derby tie was shrouded in controversy when referee Pat Whelan ruled that Finn Harps manager Felix Healy would not be allowed in the dug-out after the two had exchanged words before the kick-off.

Derry City took the lead in the 19th minute when a Ciaran Martyn shot was blocked by Gavin Cullen, but the ball re-bounded off the keeper onto the chest of Declan Boyle into the net.

The home side doubled their lead eight minutes later. Gary Beckett dashed down the right side before pulling the ball inside to Martyn whose through ball to Mark Farren was drilled low into the net.

Harps, however, pulled a goal back in the 30th minute when Kevin McHugh fired home off the underside of the crossbar.

The home side restored their two-goal advantage on 47 minutes. Killian Brennan cut in from the left side and fired a right-foot shot from 18 yards past Cullen.

Harps again reduced the arrears to just one, when, in the 56th minute, the City defence failed to cut out Jonathan Minnock's low cross from the left and Kevin McHugh pounced to sidefoot the ball into the net.

DERRY CITY: Forde; Hargan, Hutton, Delaney, Higgins (Doherty 58 mins), Martyn, Beckett (Murphy 80 mins), Brennan, Deery, Farren, Cash (McGlynn 68 mins).

FINN HARPS: Cullen; Asokuh, Minnock, Boyle, Stolcock (McGowan 64 mins), Lauchlin (Bonner 75 mins), Capper, McGrenaghan, Breen, McHugh, Gorman.

Referee: Pat Whelan (Dublin).