LOI preview: Derry aiming to open up six-point lead

Derry City can open up a six-point advantage at the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division as they face UCD in Dublin tonight.

The teams meet at the UCD Bowl for a re-arranged fixture which was postponed last month due to inclement weather.

Remarkably, Derry scored their third injury-time winner of the season last Friday as they saw off Bohemians.

It gives the Candystripes the chance to open up a decent lead on Shamrock Rovers in second place and with an exciting derby fixture with Finn Harps to come on Saturday evening.

Nevertheless, Derry boss Ruadhri Higgins is keen for his side to retain focus as they return to the capital tonight.

He said: "It was a brilliant win and it shows again the fitness levels of the players and their desire to keep going right to the end."

"As I said after the game there was little time for celebration and it was a case of getting home for some rest and recovery before heading to Belfield on Monday.

"I honestly believe that UCD should have more points than what they have at the minute considering how they've been playing.

"They’re very capable of creating chances and in Colm Whelan, Liam Kerrigan and Dylan Duffy have three of the best young attacking players in the country."

"We have to go there and counteract that threat and look to play on the front foot ourselves, and that’s what we’ll try to do."

Belfield has been the source of three points picked up by UCD so far this season.

Harps, Shelbourne and the Gypsies have all been held by College.

Away from home has been the true disappointment for Andy Myler’s men and they were well-beaten over the 90 minutes in losing to Dundalk last Friday to make it four consecutive defeats on the road.

The two sides above them in the table meet tonight in another