Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Derry City

Shamrock Rovers remain in the hunt for their first title since 1994 after a 2-1 win over Derry City at Tallaght Stadium.

In a game that Derry dominated and could have won, Rovers went in front thanks to Sean O'Connor's fine right foot shot after seven minutes.

An unmarked Tadhg Purcell headed in Dessie Baker's cross to double Rovers' advantage after 25 minutes.

Thomas McManus cracked home an excellent volley to get Derry back into the game just after half-time.

Rovers held on for a crucial victory despite several nervous moments towards the end and are now three points behind Bohemians at the top of the Premier Division table.

Derry's involvement in the Europa League seems to have coincided with their faltering title challenge and Stephen Kenny's side have picked up just one point in five games.

Rovers made two changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Bohs last week. New signing Pat Sullivan was introduced at right-back at the expense of Pat Flynn and O'Connor returned from suspension.

And it was O'Connor who struck the opening goal as Derry were caught out by an Ollie Cahill throw-in.

The winger may have earned his reputation for his left foot, but here he found the far corner with his weaker right foot from 20 yards.

Derry responded well to going behind and had a claim for a penalty turned down after Gareth McGlynn was upended in the box. The decision by Declan Hanney left Stephen Kenny incensed.

There was plenty of good football by both sides, with Derry looking the most likely to get the next goal. Thomas Stewart was a danger on the left and on 18 minutes he set up Kevin Deery for an effort that went just wide.

Deery had another shot saved by Barry Murphy after good build-up play from the Candystripes. Gareth McGlynn then missed Derry's best chance of the half, as he could not direct Barry Molloy's cross on target from six yards.

However, all of Derry's good attacking play was undone by poor defending, as Rovers doubled their lead on 25 minutes.

Dessie Baker's cross from the right found the unmarked Purcell and he headed beyond Gerard Doherty from eight yards.

Rovers' keeper Murphy kept the score at 2-0 when he pushed away a Stewart shot that had deflected off Craig Sives.

As half-time approached, Derry pressed to get back in the game but they let themselves down in the final third of the pitch.

However, it was game on seconds after the restart. O'Connor failed to cut out Ruairdhi Higgins' cross-field pass and McManus controlled with his chest and cracked home a volley from 20 yards.

Gary Twigg, uncharacteristically quiet on the night, sprang to life a minute later, but he was denied a 17th league goal from close-range by Doherty.

The Candystripes were showing little physical after-effects of their trip to Bulgaria on Thursday, but struggled to produce the required composure in the box.

An error on 69 minutes from Sullivan presented Stewart with a chance, but he took too long and Shane Robinson blocked the shot. Murphy then saved another McManus rocket, albeit at the second attempt.

To counter Derry's superiority, Rovers manager Michael O'Neill withdrew the ineffectual Twigg for midfielder Barry Johnston, leaving Baker to forage alone up front.

As the game drew to an end, Rovers retreated closer to their own goal and Murphy was called on again to keep out a header from Stephen Gray on 82 minutes.

The introduction of defender Pat Flynn for Baker late on signalled Rovers' desperation, but they held on for a crucial three points, which allowed their fans to dream of that long-awaited 16th title.

Shamrock Rovers: Murphy, Sullivan, Sives, Price, Cahill, Purcell, Robinson, Rice (Bradley '90), O'Connor, Twigg (Johnston '75), Baker (Flynn '83).

Subs: Duggan, Maguire.

Derry City: Doherty, O'Brien, Delaney, Molloy, Gray (Martyn '88), McGlynn, Higgins, Deery, Stewart (Scullion '75), Farren (Nash '82), McManus.

Subs: Jennings, McEleaney.

Referee: Declan Hanney.