McGlynn goal seals victory for the Northerners

Derry City 1 Shelbourne 0

The home side had been forced to defend in great numbers after the break as Shelbourne totally dominated the play.

Indeed, Derry were fortunate to have protected their first half lead in the 72nd minute when Richie Baker's free kick screamed inches wide of the post.

And the same player brought the best out of Alan Gough two minutes later, the Derry keeper diving low to save the midfielder's shot.

The late withdrawal, shortly before kick off, of Peter Hutton, caused the home side to re-organise its defence.

But it was Derry who enjoyed the greater share of possession throughout the opening period.

In fact, left winger Sean Friars really should have broken the deadlock in the 17th minute. Having been played in by Darren McCready, Friars directed his shot against the body of Shelbourne keeper, Chris Bemmion, in what was the one-on-one situation.

But Derry's pressure paid of in the 34th minute, when teenager Gareth McGlynn broke the deadlock.

Friars burst forward from midfield and while his low cross into the box had been deflected, the ball broke to McGlynn and he drove it powerfully home from 18 yards.

Indeed the home side could have doubled their lead five minutes before the break but Friars again directed the shot against the body of the visiting keeper.

Shelbourne's only clear cut chance arrived in the 36th minute when Derry keeper Alan Gough blocked Tony McCarthy's close range effort.

The home side defended stubbornly until the end to move into the top half of the table for the first time this season.

DERRY CITY: Gough; Doherty, McCallion, McLaughlin, Hargan; McCready, McGlynn, Martyn, Friars; Kelly, Beckett. Subs. Deery for McGlynn (81 minutes).

SHELBOURNE: Demmion; Heary, McCarthy, Gannon, Crawley; Baker, S Byrne, D Byrne, Cahill; Geoghegan, Houlahan. Subs. Jones for Geoghegan (78 mins.); Ross for D Byrne (86).

Referee: Mr. P McKeon (Dublin).