Finn Harps 2-1 Derry City
Finn Harps recorded their first league win over neighbours Derry City in 18 years with a 2-1 victory following a scrappy Airtricity League Premier Division north west derby at Finn Park.
Dave Scully headed Harps into a surprise lead one minute into injury time at the end of the first half before Ryan Curran doubled the Donegal side's advantage with quarter of an hour to go.
Rory Patterson gave Derry some hope on his first appearance since his return to the Brandywell as he lifted the ball over Ciaran Gallagher in the second minute of stoppage time.
But it proved too little too late for an under-performing City side as Harps claimed their first league victory over Kenny Shiels' charges since February 1998.
City started on the front foot and fashioned the first opportunity of this tie as soon as the opening minute.
Gareth McGlynn was released down the left and his cross was met by Jordan Allan but the former Dundee United striker was unable to direct his header inside Ciaran Gallagher's far post.
Ollie Horgan's charges struggled to create any meaningful opportunities during the opening exchanges as City stifled and pressed the Premier Division new boys in their first game of the new season.
Their game plan took a blow 18 minutes in when the Ballybofey side were forced to withdraw midfielder Sean Houston due to injury.
Harps did eventually settle into this tie and Derry centre half Ryan McBride had to be alert to head an effort from Keith Cowan over his own crossbar on the half hour mark.
The Candystripes however, should have been ahead four minutes from the break. Harps goalkeeper Gallagher fumbled McGlynn's corner before Ciaran Coll cleared McBride's shot off the line.
An unmarked Allan followed up with a powerful header from close range, but somehow the debutant managed to nod the ball over.
The Donegal side made their neighbours pay one minute into injury time at the end of the half as they took the lead. Scully rose highest inside the City area to direct Adam Hanlon's free-kick from the left past a stranded Ger Doherty for his first goal in Harps colours.
Neither side was able to carve out a clear goal scoring opportunity during the opening stages of the second half, as both teams struggled to string consecutive passes together on an uneven Finn Park surface.
The game eventually burst into life once more on 75 minutes; confusion in the heart of the Derry defence saw Harps forward Curran go through one-on-one with Doherty.
The former City man slotted the ball low to Doherty's left and into the corner of the net for his first goal on his maiden outing for the recently promoted side.
Patterson gave the Brandywell side some hope two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game when he chipped the oncoming Gallagher following substitute Nathan Boyle's through ball.
Boyle almost grabbed a late, late equaliser for Derry a minute later but his looping header was watched all the way by Gallagher who gratefully saw the ball drop behind his far post.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Keith Cowan, Packie Mailey, Ciaran Coll; Adam Hanlon (for Kevin McHugh 88), Gareth Harkin, Barry Molloy (for Raymond Foy 77), Sean Houston (for Tony McNamee 18) Dave Scully; Ryan Curran.
Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Niclas Vemmelund, Aaron McEneff, Ryan McBride, Dean Jarvis; Aaron Barry, Gareth McGlynn (for Ronan Curtis 70), Conor McCormack (for Harry Monaghan 76), Barry McNamee, Rory Patterson; Jordan Allan (for Nathan Boyle 59).
Referee: Tomas Connolly.
