Derry maintain title push with victory over Dundalk

Dundalk 0 Derry City 2

Goals early and late from Eamon Zayed and Daniel Lafferty kept Derry’s title aspiration very much alive this afternoon.

The win moves Stephen Kenny’s third-placed Derry to within two points of Shamrock Rovers, who play in Bray tomorrow, ahead of their visit to Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night. Derry are now just four points behind leaders Sligo Rovers with a game in hand.

Derry deservedly took the lead on 13 minutes when impressive left-back Lafferty whipped over a deep cross and Zayed stole in to head to the net for his 21st league goal of the season.

Derry thought they got a second 10 minutes later when Zayed got a strong flick header to skipper Kevin Deery’s corner, but Paul Murphy batted it away at his near post.

Dundalk were much better in the second half with Derry keeper Ger Doherty making a vital stop from Stephen McDonnell’s miscued shot on the hour mark to prevent an equaliser.

But Derry finished strongly with Deery bringing a good save from Murphy down low to his left on 72 minutes before Stephen McLaughlin shot off a post minutes later.

Man-of-the-match Lafferty then sealed it when left totally unmarked to head home McLaughlin’s corner on 86 minutes.