Late Derry winner prolongs Shamrock Rovers' coronation

A Michael Duffy goal deep into injury-time ensured Derry City claimed a 1-0 victory over Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division to prolong Shamrock Rovers' coronation.

As Stephen Bradley’s men prepared for the Sports Direct FAI Cup semi-final against Kerry, second-placed Candystripes struck in the 94th-minute to sink the Bit O’Red.

Tiernan Lynch’s men had to win at the Brandywell Stadium to keep the title race alive, and it looked like it would finish with the hosts unable to break down the in-form visitors.

However Duffy had the final say meaning Rovers' celebrations will have to wait until Friday night at least when they welcome Shelbourne to Tallaght Stadium.

Derry are now four points clear of Bohemians in the table, with this win edging them closer to European football next season.

Rovers went close with the first chance on 24 minutes as Jad Hakiki showed nice skill to find space on the edge of the box, but his well hit drive from 20 yards, whistled just over Brian Maher's crossbar.

Soon after Derry were forced into a change as Carl Winchester, who seemed to pick up a knock in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Robbie Benson.

A neat passing move down the left just after the half-hour mark ended with Brandon Fleming slipping in Duffy, who cut the ball back to O'Reilly, but the midfielder side footed wide from 10 yards.

Derry should have taken the lead on 37 minutes as Benson found Mullen, who played a lovely pass to an unmarked O'Reilly, but the midfielder's close range effort was straight at Rovers goalkeeper Sam Sargeant.

Sligo changed things up at the break with left-back Sean Stewart replacing striker Cian Kavanagh, meaning Owen Elding moved up front and Will Fitzgerald slotted onto the left wing.

On 51 minutes a sublime pass by Maher released Duffy down the left, the winger's superb first touch meant he could run past Rovers defender Gareth McElroy, but his left-footed strike from the angle was kept out by Sargeant.

Duffy went close to scoring five minutes later, but his well hit 20-yard drive was well parried away by the Bit O' Red keeper.. Derry should have taken the lead on the hour mark as Duffy got in behind the Rovers back-line before lifting the ball over the out-rushing Sargeant and cutting the ball back to Mullen, but with the goal at his mercy, the striker's side footed effort was somehow deflected over the bar by substitute Stewart.

On 80 minutes Fleming cushioned the ball off to Duffy and the winger's right-footed strike from the left hand edge of the box, which had Sargeant beaten, flew just over.

Right at the death Benson's delivery from the right found Duffy at the back post and his close range header beat Sargeant to spark wild celebrations amongst the home support.

Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Hayden Cann (Gavin Whyte 57), Mark Connolly, Jamie Stott, Brandon Fleming; Carl Winchester (Robbie Benson 27), Sadou Diallo (Cameron Dummigan 79); Adam O'Reilly, Michael Duffy; Danny Mullen.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Edwin Agbaje (Conor Reynolds 86), Sebastian Quirk, Patrick McClean, Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki, Cian Kavanagh (Sean Stewart HT), James McManus (Ciaron Harkin 65), Ryan O'Kane (Matthew Wolfe 86), Owen Elding, Gareth McElroy (Oliver Denham 65).

Referee: Mr Neil Doyle (Dublin).

In the First Division, Longford Town kept their promotion hopes alive with a 2-1 win over play-off rivals Treaty United at Markets Field.

Aaron Doran had Longford ahead in the fist half before Patrick Ferry brought the sides level five minutes into the second half.

But Stefan Uhbesia's winner cuts Treaty's lead over Longford to three points, with two games left to play.

Wexford remain wedged between the two clubs after being well beaten by in-form UCD 3-0 at Ferrycarrig.

Harry Smith, Brian McManus and Adam Brennan got the goals for College to secure their third win in four games, while Mikey Rowe saw shown a straight red card for the hosts in the first half for an off the ball incident.

UCD will finish fourth, at worst, in the First Division but they could still sneak past likely play-off opponents Bray with victories in their remaining games.

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