Derry City 0 Dundalk 1

Stephen Kenny's Dundalk secured a deserved narrow win at the Brandywell last night, Dane Massey, producing the strike to secure the champions' second win in two games.

And the Lilywhites made it clear from the outset that they had travelled to win as David McMillan's snap-shot was directed at the body of Derry keeper, Ger Doherty, who blocked the effort from close range.

The home side had another lucky escape in the 28th minute.

A poor kick-out by Doherty was intercepted by John Mountney and when he found McMillan, the Derry keeper did well to block with his legs and clear the danger.

Derry created their best scoring chance in the 56th minute when Curran sent Mark Timlin scampering clear on the right.

However, as the winger was about to shoot, Massey produced a superb tackle to save the day for Dundalk.

With the estimated attendance of over 3,000 on their feet, it was the visitors who finally broke the deadlock in the 64th minute.

Constantly probing the Derry defence, Ronan Finn produced a magnificent pass to sent Massey in the clear and he did well when guiding the ball home from just outside the penalty area for what proved to be the only goal of the tight contest .

DERRY CITY: Doherty; S Kelly (G Kelly, 86 mins), McBride, S McEleney, Barry; Timlin (Daniels, 78 mins), Lowry, McNamee, Houston; P McEleney; Curran.

DUNDALK: Rodgers; Gannon, Boyle, Gartland, Massey; Shields; Mountney (Grimes, 90 mins), Towell, Finn, Horgan (Meenan, 61 mins); McMillan (Byrne, 77 mins).

Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).