LEAGUE OF IRELAND: Dundalk 1 Derry City 0- A DERRY City side, which was crippled by injuries and suspensions, lost more ground to Bohemians as Dundalk's debutant, Alex Williams, was the man that finally breached their defence.

City, who were unbeaten in their last six games since their 1-0 loss to Cork City on May 15th, had not conceded a goal in 540 minutes of football.

So it was going to take something special to find a way past their defence and man-of-the-match Williams produced just that on 38 minutes. With some neat football and close control, the striker, who transferred from Scottish club Ayr United recently, poked the ball off the inside of the post to give his side a deserved three points.

Williams nearly put his side ahead four minutes in with a stroke of luck when a clearance by Gerard Doherty ricocheted off the striker and went inches wide.

The home side were also able to unleash Mickey Collins in a competitive fixture this term. The combative midfielder, who has waited since February for his international clearance from the IFA, patrolled the midfield and broke down Derry at every opportunity, giving his forwards plenty of opportunities.

Williams soon became a hit with the home support as along with his goal, he hit a thundering free kick from 20 yards out which was parried wide by Doherty.

Derry’s best chance in the game fell to Thomas Stewart but the winger blazed over from 20 yards.

City were reeling in the latter stages of the game and Dundalk should have capitalised when Williams found Daly free in the centre but he rushed his shot and buried it into the arms of Doherty.

DUNDALK:Bennion; Shaun Kelly, Burns, Heary, Simon Kelly; Turner, (Synnott, 89 mins), Collins, Daly, O'Brien; Williams, (Mulvenna, 92 mins), Mansaram, (Rowe, 71 mins).

DERRY CITY:Doherty; McCallion, Hutton, McChrystal, (McClean, 68 mins), O'Brien; Scullion, Martyn, Higgins, Stewart, (Harkin 79 mins); Morrow, Farren, (McManus, 70 mins).

Referee:Tommy Connolly (Dublin)