Derry dig deep to overcome stubborn Waterford

It wasn't a vintage performance by Derry City, but Ruaidhrí Higgins’ added three more points to their title challenge by beating Waterford FC 2-0 at the RSC.

Two goals from Patrick Hoban were enough, to get the result to give the Candystripes their first away win of the campaign.

The win helps the Candystripes keep up with the pace at the summit, while Waterford will rue the missed opportunity to move away from the bottom two after results went their way in Weavers Park and Tolka Park.

That was the big carrot for Keith Long’s side before kick-off – building momentum and easing fears of a relegation battle later in the season. This showed with how the Blues played, as they pushed Derry deep into their own half by passing the ball around and looking for space.

Despite their aggression, Waterford struggled to create meaningful chances in the final third.

They eventually went long and Grant Horton tried to knock a pass from Rowan McDonald into the path of Darragh Leahy. Derry immediately closed down and Paul McMullan broke down the right wing with Hoban in support. They worked together to tee-up an unmarked Will Patching, and his shot went just over the intended target.

The next time Derry tried to counter-attack like that, Daniel Kelly was brought down by Robbie McCourt as he tried to collect a pass from Mullen at the near post. A penalty was given, but no red card to the Waterford defender, and Hoban made it 1-0 from the spot.

Connor Parsons tried to respond for Waterford within seconds of the restart, and his shot was put out for a corner that came to nothing.

The first half finished with Hoban finding the back of the net with a free-header, and the striker was flagged for offside.

The Blues came out from the break and McCormack