Derry City - 3 Dublin City - 0: Derry City moved into second spot in the Premier Division table following this comfortable victory over Dublin City at the Brandywell last night.

However, the first-half dismissal of Dublin's Paul Shiels proved a major turning point as Dermot Keely's men had held the home side scoreless during a dull opening period.

Shiels, who was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident with Derry's Gary Beckett, compounded Dermot Keely's woes, his side forced to start without four first-choice players.

With Dublin down to 10 men, the home side dominated the possession but failed dismally to convert that superiority into clear-cut scoring chances.

With Dublin striker David Freeman operating as a lone front-man after the break, the home side finally broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute.

Paddy McCourt worked his way to the byline, and when his cross was spilled by David Conroy, Mark Farren was well placed to poke the ball home.

The home side sealed victory in the 65th minute when McCourt was again heavily involved. Another low cross from the right cannoned off the legs of Dublin winger Mark Rooney, giving his keeper no chance at the near post.

Derry made it 3-0 in the 70th minute when Beckett's attempted lob from 18 yards flicked off the body of Paul Crowley and into the bottom corner of the net.

DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, McChrystal, Hutton, Hargan; McCourt, Molloy, Martyn, K. Brennan (McGlynn, 74 mins); Beckett (Higgins, 82 mins) Farren.

DUBLIN CITY: Conroy; D Brennan, Malcolm, Keely, Hedderman (Doyle, 11 mins); Rooney, Crowley, Shiels, McGill; Freeman (O'Donnell, 74 mins), McCarthy (Prender, half-time).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).