Derry City - 1 Shelbourne - 0Derry City extended their unbeaten run to five matches following this slender victory over Shelbourne at a packed Brandywell last night.

And the victory sees the home side move level with the Dubliners in the top half of the table for the first time this season.

But Derry were forced to withstand constant Shelbourne pressure after the break having broken the deadlock in the 34th minute.

Sean Friars broke from midfield and while his low cross into the area had taken a deflection, the ball broke perfectly for teenager Gareth McGlynn.

Having raced forward the 19- year-old did superbly well to keep his shot down, driving it powerfully into the net from 18 yards.

Two minutes later the visitors had a great chance to equalise but Derry goalkeeper Alan Gough managed to block Tony McCarthy's shot from close range.

Indeed, Friars could so easily have doubled Derry's lead in the 40th minute but his tame shot was easily gathered by Shelbourne goalkeeper Chris Bennion.

However, after the break the pattern of the game changed totally as the home side were forced to defend in great numbers for lengthy spells.

In the 72nd minute Shelbourne winger Richie Baker saw his free from 20 yards skim the outside of the Derry post.

And two minutes later the same player brought the best out of Gough, the goalkeeper diving low to his right to gather the ball.

But the home side showed great determination to hold out until the end.

DERRY CITY: Gough; Doherty, McCallion, McLaughlin, Hargan; McCready, Martyn, McGlynn, Friars; Kelly, Beckett. Subs: Deery for McGlynn (81 mins).

SHELBOURNE: Bennion; Heary, McCarthy, Gannon, Crawley; Baker, S Byrne, D Byrne, Cahill; Geoghegan, Houlahan. Subs: Jones for Geoghegan (78 mins), Ross for D Byrne (86 mins).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).