Controversy reigned at the Brandywell yesterday after Cork City striker Pat Morley appeared to have netted the equaliser with a close-range header in the 61st minute.

Conor O'Grady had floated over a deep cross from the right and Morley headed the ball towards goal. Derry 'keeper Russell Payne seemed to block it with his foot after the ball had crossed the line and central defender Paddy McLaughlin then whipped it to safety.

But as Cork players began celebrating, referee Pat Whelan, after being signalled by his linesman, waved play on and O'Grady was booked for continuing dissent regarding the decision.

The Leesiders, who had boasted a six-match unbeaten run, had no cause for complaint at half-time as Derry had bossed proceedings and were good value for their 1-0 lead.

The deadlock was broken in the 14th minute when the Cork defence failed to deal with Sean Hargan's curling cross from the left. The ball broke to Tommy McCallion and the right-winger drilled a low shot beyond the reach of 'keeper Michael Devine.

After the break Cork lost the services of lively frontman James Mulligan, with an ankle injury, while Derry were also in difficulty when centre-half Darren Kelly had to go off with a head injury.

Cork huffed and puffed but failed to net what would have been a deserved equaliser, while Derry youngster Gareth McGlynn was carried off in the 89th minute with a knee injury.

DERRY CITY: Payne; E McCallion, Kelly, McLaughlin, Hargan, T McCallion, Doherty, McGlynn, Moran, Coyle, Hughes. Subs: Sheridan for Kelly (57 mins), Beckett for Coyle (67), Phillips for Moran (71)

CORK CITY: Devine; Daly, Coughlan, Napier, Carey, Flanagan, Cahill, O'Grady, Carey, Morley, Mulligan. Subs: Bennett for Napier (h-t); CP O'Brien for Mulligan (48 mins), Hartigan for Morley (70)

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin)