Diallo header settles tie as Derry do enough to progress

It may not have been pretty, but Derry City continued their Europa Conference League campaign for at least another run, following their deserved win over HB Tórshavn.

Midfielder Sadou Diallo headed home the only goal of the tie, as Ruaidhri Higgins' men booked their place in the second qualifying round, where they will entertain Finnish league leaders Kups next Thursday evening in the first leg.

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Backed by a good crowd, the home side went close to taking a 12th minute lead but Torshavn goalkeeper Bjarti Mørk made a top drawer save, superbly tipping over Cameron McJannet's looping header.

Minutes later more good play down Derry's left hand side ended with Ben Doherty's centre to the back post finding Paul McMullan, but the diving header flew well over the bar.

The Brandywell men deservedly broke the deadlock on 23 minutes as Michael Duffy's left wing corner found Diallo at the near post and the midfielder did well to head home from close range.

The Faroe Islands men had their first shot on 38 minutes but Hanus Sorensen's long range shot, although well hit, was well off target.

Derry just have added a second just before half-time, as another Duffy left wing corner this time found McJannet, but the skipper headed wide from close range.

City went close to scoring a second on 53 minutes as Ben Doherty's left footed strike from 20 yards, which had Mørk well beaten, just sailed past the left hand post.

McGonigle missed a golden chance to score City's second moments later as he got in behind the Torshavn back-line, but his side footed effort was well blocked by an out-rushing Mørk.

While the game stayed only at 1-0 the visitors always knew a goal would get them back into the tie and they went close on 67 minutes but Dan Í