DERRY CITY 0-3 ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: ST PATRICK'S Athletic striker Mark Quigley led his side to what could prove a vital victory when netting a memorable hat-trick at the Brandywell last night.
It was a deserved win for the south Dublin side who dominated the possession before netting all three of their goals in the second half.
Indeed, the win now sees St Patrick's move five points clear of Stephen Kenny's men to consolidate their second placing in the Premier Division.
After a first half which saw both team effectively cancelled each other out, chances were at a premium.
The busy Quigley blasted the ball high over the crossbar during the early stages, while the same player lost out when defender Clive Delaney hacked the ball clear following a free-kick in the 33rd minute.
Derry's Kevin Deery was the only player to launch a shot on target when he forced the visitors' goalkeeper Barry Ryan into a save one minute before the break.
St Patrick's caught Derry cold after the break when breaking the deadlock in the 50th minute when Quigley netted the first of his three goals.
Keith Fahey intercepted a Derry cross before sending Glen Fitzpatrick clear on the left and his centre found the advancing Quigley, who netted from close range.
Derry's Gerard Doherty had to be at his best to deny a Stephen Paisley header following a corner in the 59th minute, the home goalkeeper parrying the effort wide.
Derry themselves went close to equalising in the 77th minute but Mark Farren's overhead kick from close range was directed into Ryan's hands.
Five minutes from the end, St Patrick's ended the match as a contest when a back-pass from Delaney saw Doherty crash his clearance against the body of the aware Quigley and the St Patrick's striker gleefully rolled the ball into the unguarded net.
Quigley capped a superb St Patrick's performance when he secured the match ball in the 88th minute.
On that occasion Ryan Guy broke on the right flank with the Derry players committed forward and his perfect centre, which found Quigley, who curled the ball beyond the reach of the advancing Doherty.
DERRY CITY:Doherty; McCallion (McGlynn 55), Delaney, Hutton, Gray; Deery, Martyn (McHugh 81), Molloy (Higgins 72), McGinn; Sammon, Farren.
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC:Ryan; Lynch, Harris, Paisley, Byrne; Guy, Dempsey, Fahey, Kirby; Quigley, Fitzpatrick (Ryan, 75).
Referee:H Whoriskey (Meath).
