AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Derry City 1 Dundalk 2:DUNDALK caused the shock of the night when ending Derry City's unbeaten run at the Brandywell with goals on either side of half time.

And the Candystripes can have no complaints with this defeat, Dundalk always appearing more hungry with complacency having clearly set in on Foyleside.

The loss of experienced centre-back, Liam Burns, seemed to galvanise the visitors, the Belfast man stretchered off after just nine minutes with an ankle injury.

And it was Dundalk who broke the deadlock after just 14 minutes. Shane O’Neill gained possession on the right and his low centre found the unmarked Michael Rafter and the striker drilled the ball home from 12 yards.

After the break it didn’t get any better for the home side as they huffed and puffed in the final third. And when experienced defender, Eddie McCallion and goalkeeper Ger Doherty got into a defensive mix-up in the 51st minute, the game was up for the “Candystripes.”

Waiting for Doherty to come and claim a back pass, the defender knocked the ball past the advancing keeper and the alert O’Neill raced in to guide the ball home.

With seven minutes remaining, substitute Ruaidhri Higgins reduced the deficit when his looping header found the net.

On the stroke of full-time, Derry’s Davy McDaid was brought down by Chris Shiels and while referee Damien Hancock pointed to the spot that decision was changed following discussion with his assistant and a free-kick awarded from which Dundalk keeper Peter Cherrie pulled off an amazing save.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; Madden (Higgins, 64), McCallion, McBride (McGroary, 64), McCaffrey; McEleney, Deery, Molloy, McLaughlin; McDaid, Farren.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; McLaughlin (Walsh, 67), Burns (Waters, 9), Danville, Osborne; O'Neill (Reilly, 88), Shields, Thomas, Mountney, Shanahan; Rafter.

Referee: D Hancock(Dublin).