Derry City ... 3 St Patrick's Athletic ... 1: St Patrick's Athletic dismal record in the FAI Cup continued for another year when Pat Dolan's side crashed out of the competition against Derry City at the Brandywell last night.

And while the Dubliners will have been frustrated at last week's league defeat at this venue they can have no complaints at last night's verdict.

In what proved a pulsating game played in front of an attendance in excess of 3,500 fans, it was the home side who dominated the territorial advantage.

But Derry got off to the worst possible start when falling behind after just six minutes through a goal of their own making.

Peter Hutton casually attempted to clear the ball before it was charged down by Ger McCarthy and his low cross into the danger area was driven high into the net by striker Tony Bird.

However, the goal seemed to spark life into the Northern side and while they had chances to equalise, both David Kelly and Sean Hargan in particular wasted quality opportunities.

Under sustained pressure the Richmond Park side lost the services of their inspirational midfielder of Paul Osam in the 47th minute when he was red carded for reacting to a challenge from Derry's teenager winger, Gareth McGlynn.

And it got worse for the visitors two minutes into the second half when Derry equalised thanks to an unfortunate own goal.

Eddie McCallion drove a low cross into the danger area before Robbie Griffin sliced the ball high into the top corner.

They maintained the momentum and exploiting the numerical superiority they moved into the driving seat in the 66th minute.

Another McCallion centre saw man of the match Ciaran Martyn hammer the ball home from eight yards.

The home side continued to dominate but they had to wait until the 92nd minute before guaranteeing their passage into the last four.

On this occasion, with St Patrick's forcing players forward, Sean Friars broke on the left and his perfectly timed pass sent Martyn scampering clear, the former UCD midfielder put the ball home passed the advancing Seamus Kelly.

DERRY CITY: Gough; McCallion, Hutton, McLaughlin, Hargan; McGlynn, Doherty, Martyn, Friars; Beckett, D Kelly. Subs: Coyle for McGlynn (63 mins).

ST PATS ATHLETIC: S Kelly, Croly, Foley, Maguire, Burke; Marney, Osam, Griffin, Russell; Bird, McCarthy. Subs: L Kelly, for Griffin (71 mins). Holt for Croly (78 mins). Hughes for Russell (81 mins).

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin)