A Stephen Kelly penalty catapulted Longford Town four places up the table and converted Strokestown Road into a happy home again on Saturday.
Kelly confidently shot home from the spot on 64 minutes after substitute Shay Zellor had been taken down inside the area by Derry right-back Joe Harkin. The win gives Stephen Kenny's Premier Division newcomers a very satisfying double over the Candystripes.
Ultimately, Longford deserved their win as they created the better chances overall despite Derry enjoying a very good opening half-hour and bemoaning the fact they didn't get a couple of penalties themselves.
"I was very pleased with that," said Kenny. "Not just with the result, but also the performance which was excellent. I thought we played very well and were worthy winners."
Longford Town: O'Brien; McNally, P Perth, Smith, W Byrne; Gavin, Kelly, S Byrne, Coyle; O'Connor, Farrell. Subs: Zellor for Farrell (60 mins), V Perth for Gavin (84 mins.).
Derry City: Connolly; Harkin, Hutton, Kelly, Hargan; McLaughlin, Doherty, Hegarty, Quigley; Devlin, Beckett. Subs: Parkhouse for Devlin (71 mins), McIvor for Beckett (80 mins).
Referee: E Barr (Dublin).
