Derry City won their way to second place in the Eircom League Premier Division at Century Homes Park yesterday, but they were extended by a lowly Monaghan United.

Indeed, it was against the run of play that they went ahead in the 29th minute when a midfield pass from Jamie Hughes found the unmarked Padraig Moran lurking in the box and he promptly hit the back of the net.

However, 10 minutes later, the sides were level when Monaghan's alert striker Darren McKenna chased down a long ball out of defence to lift it expertly over the advancing Derry goalkeeper, Russell Payne.

United suffered a blow when they had to replace injured mid-fielder Paul Shiels with newcomer Andy McConville from Boston Bulldogs.

The upset to the Monaghan midfield changed the pattern of the game and Derry were on top in the second half.

This produced the winning goal from Gary Beckett in the 63rd minute.

A long ball out of defence drew home goalkeeper Robbie Forde out of the area and his headed clearance fell to Beckett, who lobbed home from 40 yards out.

There was little between the sides thereafter until the final minutes.

However, Derry finishing the stronger and Liam Coyle and Stephen Parkhouse both went close in the dying minutes.

MONAGHAN UNITED: Forde, White, O'Callaghan, Brunton, Scully, McGrath, Mooney, Shiels, Vaughan, McKenna, Murphy. Subs: Lundy for O'Callaghan (71 mins); McConville for Shiels (half-time).

DERRY CITY: Payne, E McCallion, Hargan, Kelly, McLaughlin, Doherty, Hughes, Phillips, Beckett, T McCallion, Moran. Subs: Coyle for P McCallion (60 mins), McReady for Phillips (71) Parkhouse for Moran (78).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).