Dundalk slipped deeper into relegation trouble at Oriel Park last night when they gave one of their poorest performances of the season to lose by the only goal of a drab affair.
Indeed Derry were not much better but they always seemed to have a goal poacher in Darren McCaul and so it proved.
There was scarcely a shot on target from either side in the first half and Dundalk's shaky defence finally collapsed after veteran Tom McNulty had to limp off midway through the second period.
The only score came in the 73rd minute after a mistake by Dundalk's Padraig Gollogley left Liam Coyle free and he fed McCaul who took his chance well to slot the ball past goalkeeper, Steve Williams.
The result could have been even worse for the homeside but for two excellent saves from goalkeeper Williams from McCaul in the closing minutes of an entirely forgettable game played before a very small attendance.
Dundalk: Williams, McNulty, Crawley, Gollogley, Brady, Melvin, Brennan, Thew, Ward, Fortune, Dunne. Subs: Harte for McNulty 66 mins, Martin for Dunne 81 mins.
Derry City: Platt, McCallion, Kelly, Hutton, Curran, McCann, Doherty, Hegarty, Coyle, McCaul, Gallagher.
Referee: Paul McKeown (Dublin)
