Derry ease past Drogheda to close gap at the top

Derry City ran out comfortable winners over a battling Drogheda United, at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

After Jordan McEneff had given City the lead just before the break, two late strikes from Jamie McGonigle and Michael Duffy secured the deserved victory to make it a really super Sunday for the Candy Stripes.

The three points moved City back into third place, five points behind champions Shamrock Rovers and have played a game less than the Hoops.

While Ruaidhrí Higgins' men deserved the win, they had goalkeeper Brian Maher to thank, as the net-minder made a superb save to deny Adam Foley, when the game was still scoreless.

Drogheda should have broken the deadlock on 12 minutes as Kyle Robinson got in behind the City defence, before his cut-back into the six yard box found an unmarked Adam Foley, but the ex-Finn Harps man's close range shot was superbly kept out by Brian Maher's left boot.

On 30 minutes a lovely defensive splitting pass by Brandon Kavanagh released Michael Duffy, his left wing cut-back found Adam O'Reilly at the end of the box, but the midfielder's shot took a deflection on its way over the crossbar.

Derry took the lead on 41 minutes as danger man Duffy broke clear down the left before picking out Jordan McEneff on the edge of the box, the midfielder steadied himself before blasting low into Andrew Wogan's bottom right hand corner.

The visitors missed a glorious chance to level things on 51 minutes as Dayle Rooney's teasing left wing cross found Robinson, but the big striker's close range header was well off target.

Derry went close to doubling their lead on 64 minutes but substitute Paul McMullan saw his low drive from the edge of the box, which had goalkeeper Wogan worried, flew inches wide.

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