Defensive mistakes cost Derry City as they crumbled against Dundalk who inflicted the Foylesiders with their first home defeat of the season, finishing 4-1. Dundalk were the more dangerous side for the opening ten minutes but it was City who broke
Defensive mistakes cost Derry City as they crumbled against Dundalk who inflicted the Foylesiders with their first home defeat of the season, finishing 4-1.
Dundalk were the more dangerous side for the opening ten minutes but it was City who broke the deadlock through Darren Cole. The Scottish centre-half tried an audacious effort from 20-yards and to the delight of the crowd it went over the head of Gary Rodgers to give Derry City an early advantage.
Dundalk responded through Brian Gartland after 27 minutes when Duffy delivered a superb corner and three minutes later they took the lead when Robbie Benson rounded the goalkeeper before shooting into an empty net.
Kenny Shiels’ young outfit were stunned after an impressive opening and the Lilywhites almost made them pay again when Patrick Hoban’s shot was just about intercepted by Jack Doyle for a corner kick.
Dundalk took real control early in the second half as the Lone Moor road outfit proved to be the masters of their own demise. Jack Doyle gave away possession too easily on the edge of the penalty area before Robbie Benson, who proved a handful for large periods, found Michael Duffy on the counter-attack.
The Derry-born midfielder was ruthless in his conviction as he blasted home a low drive just on the edge of the 18-yard box. The defeat now means the Candy Stripes are trailing Dundalk by 10 points and following Waterford’s draw at Bray Wanderers they now find themselves with a six-point deficit for the final European place.
With ten minutes left, McGartland proved his value when he intercepted a darting dash by Ronan Curtis who was through on goal if not for the important challenge by the Dundalk captain.
An injury-time goal by Krisztián Adorján inside the penalty area summed up Derry’s game really as Dundalk added their fourth and inflicted another heavy defeat on the Candy Stripes.
