Derry City 0-1 Shamrock Rovers

Victory over Derry City at the Brandywell will boost confidence levels in Tallaght as Shamrock Rovers recorded a vital win in what is turning out to be a very exciting race for the 2009 Premier Division title.

The men from Dublin's southside scored the game's only goal before half an hour had elapsed, and from that point produced a professional performance to keep an out-of-sorts Derry attack at bay.

While the visitors opened at a high tempo and, indeed, dominated the issue during the early stages, it was their professionalism and defensive discipline which shone out like a beacon on Foyleside.

Indeed, Rovers created a superb chance to break the deadlock after just six minutes, but Padraig Amond crashed his shot against the upright having got in behind the Derry defence.

But Derry hit back two minutes later following a break on the right, Gareth McGlynn drilled a low ball to the edge of the danger area but David Scullion's snap-shot sailed over the crossbar.

The league leaders consolidated their two points lead when breaking the deadlock in the 27th minute and the goal was not without its controversy.

Stephen Bradley crossed from the right and while Dessie Baker appeared to be clearly in an offside position - with the referee's assistant having raised his flag and taken it down again - the ball was picked up by Amond who played Baker in to score.

The goal may have silenced the home support but it sparked Stephen Kenny's men into action, with Rovers forced onto the backfoot as the home side began to force the issue from that point onwards.

Three minutes after the break the home side was presented with a glorious opportunity to equalise.

Substitute Ciaran Martyn was brought down on the edge of the area by Pat Flynn and when Gareth McGlynn floated over the free, Tam McManus' downward header was parried by keeper Alan Manus before Steven Gray hammered the rebound high over the crossbar.

With Derry enjoying the lion's share of possession, efforts from Ruaidhri Higgins and Liam Kearney were comfortably dealt with by Manus.

In the 55th minute, the crowd screamed for a penalty when Pat Flynn appeared to block a Kearney shot with his arm, but referee Declan Hanney instantly dismissed those claims.

Clive Delaney flashed a shot agonisingly wide of the upright on the hour mark as Derry continued to press forward in search of an equaliser.

And Derry had another call for hand ball inside the area one minute later, but again the referee's assistant refused to agree.

Paddy Kavanagh was called ashore at the expense of Amond as Rovers boss Michael O'Neill attempt to stem the flow of possession.

James McClean floated the ball into the penalty area from the left, but McManus failed to keep his header down.

Derry huffed and puffed to the end but failed to make any inroads in what was a solid and resolute defence.

Derry City: Doherty; McCallion. Delaney, Gray, McClean (Harkin, 83); McGlynn, Higgins, Deery (Martyn, 26), Kearney (Nash, 72); Scullion, McManus.

Shamrock Rovers: Manus; Flynn, Sives, A. Price, Cahill; Bradley (Chisholm, 75), S. Rice, Robinson, O'Connor; Baker (Cowan, 79), Amond (Kavanagh, 57).

Referee: Declan Hanney (Dublin).