National League Premiere Division/ Derry City 0 Drogheda United 2: Gavin Dykes's short reign as Derry City boss ended following Saturday night's defeat by Drogheda, the Sligo man exiting the Brandywell after just eight months.

Following the final whistle, Dykes shook hands with his players in the dressing room before beating a hasty retreat, refusing to linger for the normal post-match interviews.

However, last night, the 36-year-old conceded that the time had come to move on.

"I had my mind made up before the Drogheda match," he admitted. "Things had not gone as I had planned and our failure to score a goal in our last six league matches, made it very difficult," he added.

"However, I made a promise when I took the job that I would not be sacked and I would be long gone if things had not gone my way. I'm gutted and very disappointed, but I leave with nothing but praise for all those associated with Derry."

Derry's board of directors met last night to discuss the situation and chairman Jim Roddy made it clear that an appointment would be made sooner rather than later.

"We've received significant interest in the position," declared Roddy. "I'd like to make it clear at this point that there is no acrimony or difficulty with Gavin. We're all disappointed that he's gone but everyone knew a change was needed as things had not gone as we had expected."

Dykes's fate was effectively sealed when Paul Doolin's Drogheda recorded a deserved victory. Indeed, the O2 Park side could afford the luxury of squandering a second-minute penalty when Derry goalkeeper Patrick Jennings pulled off a superb save to deny Andy Myler.

But Drogheda broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Alan Reilly raced onto a Mark Quinless through-ball to outpace the home defence and find the net. And in the 69th minute, a defensive blunder by Derry's Clive Delaney allowed Declan O'Brien to race in, giving Jennings no chance.

DERRY CITY: Jennings; Doherty, Delaney, McLaughlin, McCallion; Hutton, Martyn, O'Grady, Holt; Hargan, Murphy. Subs: Farren for Holt (68 mins); McGlynn for Delaney (77)

DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers; Sullivan, O'Connor, Gray, Kelly; Quinless, Lester, Reilly, Cronin; Myler, O'Brien. Subs: Lynch for Reilly (61); Freeman for Myler (70); Lacey for Quinless (85).

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).