REPORT: Finn Harps 2-3 Derry City

Derry City moved up to joint third in the table after a 3-2 win over NorthWest Rivals Finn Harps. Ollie Horgans side remain rooted to the bottom of the table, still in search of their first league win. 

Colm Deasy was sent off in the first half as Aidy Delap gave Derry an early second half lead, Nathan Boyle levelled for the hosts before a David Parkhouse brace sealed the points in added time. 

Mikey Place scored a late penalty but it was a mere consolation as the full time whistle was blown immediately after. As with any north-west Derby, there was a competitive start but the opening quarter of an hour saw little in the way of concrete chances. 

Daniel O'Reilly had an early soft header easily caught by Nathan Gartside while Jamie McDonagh witnessed his first chance float into the gloves of Ciaran Gallagher. 

Just after the 15 minute mark, Caolon McAleer went close from an acute angle before Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe went close with a header at the opposite end. Controversy erupted after the 20th minute. 

After collecting a free kick, Gartside saw his low kick out strike Niall Logue and fall kindly for Nathan Boyle who couldn't have asked for an easier finish but to his disbelief, the goal was ruled out while Logue was booked for his troubles. 

Barry McNamee was the architect for perhaps Derry's best chance of the half, he played a great weighted pass across for McDonagh to meet, the winger done just that as he entered the box on the right side before firing at goal with Harps' shot stopper Gallagher making a good near post save. 

Ciaran Coll made his return to Finn Park, after spending 10 years at the Ballybofey club but his time on the pitch was cut short after a harsh tackle by Colm Deasy which earned the Harps' man a straight red card. 

Coll spent near 10 minutes on the sideline receiving treatment before being stretchered off and replaced by Aidy Delap. The hosts threatened after going down to 10 men, Boyle saw a close range effort saved with Captain Keith Cowan putting a header just over from the resulting corner as the sides went into the interval level. 

Five minutes into the restart and it was a Donegal Native who gave the visitors the lead. After failing to deal with a low cross from Ogedi-Uzokwe, Substitute Aidy Delap powered home a goal in off the underside of the crossbar. 

McAleer was lively throughout and was causing some problems for the visiting side, he saw a couple of his efforts saved but continued to be a thorn in the side. With just over 20 minutes to go, ten-Man Harps found a leveller. 

Following a short run into the box, Nathan Boyle found space and tucked home to raise the noise levels at Finn Park. The hosts battled but saw their efforts thwarted again as Derry retook the lead on the 83rd minute as a McDonagh cross from the right side was expertly headed home by David Parkhouse. 

The Derry striker grabbed himself a late brace, taking advantage of a slip by Gallagher, he pounced before slotting in from a tight angle. 

Well into added time and beyond, Harps were awarded a penalty after Cowan was brought down in the area, Mikey Place stepped up and fired into the bottom right corner in the last action of this highly entertaining match.