Bohemians 0 Derry C 1:DERRY CITY'S remarkable return as a force in the top flight continued in Phibsboro last night as they edged three points clear in a fascinating title race.
On the brink of extinction only 18 months ago, Stephen Kenny has again constructed a tidy and talented team that scorched through the First Division last season and now similar progress is being made in the top flight.
Derry were able to absorb all the grit Bohemians could muster before landing the crucial blow when Patrick McEleney bagged a priceless 69th minute winner.
Buoyed up by a fine away win over Sligo Rovers last time out, Bohs pressed hard early on. They nearly capitalised in the second minute when a loose Barry Molloy touch required goalkeeper Ger Doherty to race from his line to avert the danger.
Though Bohemians were outnumbered in the centre of the park, Ger O’Brien and Glenn Cronin were using all their guile to assist their veteran defence.
Derry, who did produce some sweet passing moves, created one opportunity of note after 25 minutes when a Stephen McLaughlin delivery from the left found Eamon Zayed who headed wide of the target.
Worried by Derry’s dominating of possession, Pat Fenlon reacted, switching Aidan Downes from an attacking role to the right flank with Keith Buckley redeployed to assist O’Brien and Cronin inside.
On a rare Bohemians break after 41 minutes Buckley’s cross found Downes lurking but the former Everton youngster was thwarted by Molloy’s block as Derry survived the scare.
Ninety seconds after the restart Ruaidhri Higgins slipped McLaughlin clear and though the 21-year-old made a firm connection the woodwork came to Bohemians’ rescue.
A passionate home crowd witnessed no shortage of goalmouth incident in the third quarter as Owen Heary went close for the Gypsies, while Zayed came within a whisker of netting following a delightful Daniel Lafferty delivery.
Stephen Kenny altered his approach for a spell, urging McEleney to get forward and support Zayed in attack and the Candystripes were rewarded in the 69th minute.
Kevin Deery’s corner was met by a Zayed header, Barry Murphy got down low to save, but McEleney produced a glorious back -heeled finish to spark Derry’s gleeful celebrations.
Bohs substitute Chris Forrester was unfortunate with a last minute snap-shot – but Derry held on to extend their unbeaten league run to 13 matches.
BOHEMIANS: Murphy; Heary, Burns (Forrester, 82 mins), Price, Cahill; Buckley (Hurley, 46 mins), O’Brien, Cronin, Brennan; Fagan (Flood, 58 mins), Downes.
DERRY CITY: Doherty; McCallion, Greacen, S McEleney, Lafferty; P McEleney, Deery, Molloy, Higgins (Harkin, 90 mins), McLaughlin; Zayed (McDaid, 81 mins).
Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).
