Not much here to warm up the night - and the 15-minute delay before kick-off didn't help. Instead, just the slightest of suggestions that St Patrick's Athletic can break from the shadows of the league table and string together anything like a decent run of results. For the most part, Richmond Park was the setting for a night of half-chances and no-chances that, until three minutes from time, had produced just trickles of approval.

Just when it seemed certain that Derry City would get a deserved share of the points, a Paul Byrne free close to the right sideline was flicked into the net by the head of Colm Foley.

Up to that, it seemed destined for a draw given the failure of both sides to produce a sustained attack beyond a couple of wishful passes.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Kelly; Croly, Doyle, Foley, Maguire; Byrne, Griffin, Osam, McNevin; Kelly, McCarthy. Subs: Harris for McNevin (75 mins).

DERRY CITY: Connolly; McCallion, Hutton, Kelly, Doherty; Harkin, Hegerty, McLaughlin, Beckett; Coyle, Hargan. Subs: Quigley for Beckett (44 mins), Parkhouse for McLaughlin (88).

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).