Aaron Greene strikes twice as Shamrock Rovers sink Derry City

Shamrock Rovers showed their class and clinical finishing to easily see off fellow title contenders Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

A quickfire Aaron Greene brace got them in front just before the hour mark before Richie Towell completed the dominant performance and although City substitute Pat Hoban pulled a goal back late on, the visitors ran out deserved winners.

The defeat, which was Derry's third loss of the campaign, was welcomed by a chorus of boos at the final whistle, as Ruaidhrí Higgins' side again failed to deliver in a top-of-the-table clash.

Although hitting the woodwork in the first half and probably shading things in the opening 45 minutes, Derry were second best for long periods after the break.

The Brandywell men started on the front foot and went close after a few minutes but Michael Duffy's angled drive from the left was parried away by a diving Leon Pohls.

Moments later, Gary O'Neill had a long-range strike, which City netminder Brain Maher gathered easily.

Derry City's Danny Mullen has the ball in the net, but the effort is ruled out for offside.