Derry City 0 UCD 1:UCD stunned Derry City at the Brandywell last night and for Pat Fenlon it's been another bad week on Foyleside. Like the defeat in the Setanta Sports Cup in Drogheda on Tuesday, this was a poor display from Derry.
The goal that decided the match was fashioned by a break from defence with just eight minutes remaining.
Paul Crowley scampered up the right flank to find the hard-working Conor Sammon and he played in the unmarked substitute Timmy Purcell to tap home from close range.
In what proved an instantly forgettable first half, it was UCD who created the better opportunities with a strong breeze at their backs.
Paul Byrne had a great chance to open the scoring in the 14th minute following a Derek Doyle corner but his header was directed straight at Derry goalkeeper Pat Jennings.
Eight minutes later the same player brought the best out of Jennings when another header forced the goalkeeper to touch the ball over his crossbar.
With the game looking as though it would finish scoreless, Purcell's strike sent shock waves through the home attendance.
Peter Hynes went close to scoring an equaliser for Derry in the 87th minute but his low shot was blocked just on the crowded goalmouth.
DERRY CITY: Jenning; Rogers, Oman (Hynes, 84 mins), Hutton, Hargan; Deery (McCourt, 36 mins), Molloy, Higgins, Brennan (Moore, 65 mins); Farren, McHugh.
UCD: Gregg; Mahon, Kenna, McNally, Bermingham; C Byrne (Purcell, 6 mins), McFaul (Finn, 61 mins), Crowley, Doyle; Sammon, P Byrne (McDonnell, 85 mins).
Referee: B Turkington (Belfast).
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