Drogheda United 1-3 Derry City

Mark Farren took his tally of goals against Drogheda United this season to six as Derry City strengthened their challenge for the final European spot with a hard-fought 3-1 victory at United Park.

After a scoreless first 74 minutes, the game exploded into life in the final stages, with the substitute's finishing proving the difference between the sides.

Both teams made a raft of changes owing to suspensions, injuries and illness, and goalmouth action was at a premium in a tepid opening 10 minutes.

The first opportunity came when a hopeful ball from halfway by Shane McEleney deflected off a Drogheda player into the path of Thomas Stewart, but keeper Steve Williams narrowed the angle and the Candystripes striker hooked the ball wide of the target.

Shots from distance by Liam Kearney and Barry Molloy failed to seriously test Williams, but the visitors should have fallen behind on 25 minutes when Drogheda were awarded a free-kick on the left flank.

Ross Gaynor's delivery picked out Conor Kenna unmarked 12 yards out, but the centre-half's header flew wide of the target.

Derry eventually got behind the home defence on 37 minutes when Stewart muscled his way past Kenna before cutting the ball back for Ciaran Martyn, whose hook shot was well saved by Williams.

The Candystripes went on to dominate the closing stages of the half, but Stewart and Molloy had long-range drives blocked and Tam McManus fired high and wide after working space for himself in the box.

The visitors picked up where they left off after the break, and McManus grazed a post with a header from a Gareth McGlynn cross on 49 minutes, before McManus deflected a Gerard O'Brien free into the side netting at the near post.

Gerard Doherty in the Derry goal had been a virtual spectator up to this point, but in a three-minute spell Robbie Martin volleyed over from close range and a Brendan McGill shot was comfortably held by the keeper.

However, Derry still looked the more likely scorers and after McManus had a shot deflected over the crossbar, they finally broke the deadlock on 75 minutes.

A long clearance from defence was misjudged by Kenna who nodded the ball backwards into the path of Farren, who then lifted the ball over the advancing Williams.

Amazingly, Drogheda were level just four minutes later when Robbie Farrell's pass picked out Jamie Duffy who got in between Peter Hutton and McEleney before driving past Doherty.

The flurry of goals continued on 82 minutes when McManus drove the ball to the top corner from a Stewart pass, despite Williams getting a fist to the shot.

And after Duffy had almost scrambled a second equaliser for the Drogs, Farren had the final say with another top quality goal four minutes into stoppage time.

Drogheda United: 1 Steve Williams; 2 Scott Gibb, 5 Ian Ryan, 4 Conor Kenna, 3 Eoghan Osborne (15 Austin McCann, 90min); 7 Brendan McGill, 8 Brian King, 6 Paul Crowley (12 Guy Bates 86min), 11 Ross Gaynor, 9 Jamie Duffy, 10 Robbie Martin (14 Robbie Farrell 74min).

Substitutes not used: 13 Derek Kierans, 15 Austin McCann, 20 Paul Skinner.

Booked: Martin.

Derry City: 1 Gerard Doherty, 2 Eddie McCallion, 26 Shane McEleney, 4 Peter Hutton, 12 Gerard O'Brien; 14 Gareth McGlynn (18 Mark Farren, 53min), 8 Ciaran Martyn (7 Ruaidhri Higgins 76min), 17 Barry Molloy, 11 Liam Kearney, 23 Tam McManus (20 David Scullion, 84min), 10 Thomas Stewart.

Substitutes not used: 27 Aaron Nash, 16 Patrick Jennings.

Booked: Hutton.

Referee: Dave McKeon (Dublin).