Win puts Derry level with St Pat's at the top

Sligo Rovers 0 Derry City 2

Derry could afford to miss an early penalty before easing to a comfortable win at the Showgrounds to join St. Pat's, whom they meet at the Brandywell next Friday, at the top of the Premier Division table.

Richard Brush pushed Mark Farren's weakly hit ninth minute spot kick round a post after Jason McCartney had tripped Gareth McGlynn inside the box.

But Derry dominated the first half and were good value for their matchwinning 2-0 interval lead.

The opener came on 35 minutes when Barry Molloy's 25 yard drive took a slight deflection to fly past brush.

A deserved second arrived five minutes later when Kevin McHugh's half volley was merely helped into the roof of the net off the head of Keith Foy on the line.

The game ended on a sour note for Derry who had left-back Dave Rogers shown a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Chris Turner four minutes from time.