Derry returned to the top of the Division 1 table after a dramatic victory over defending champions Mayo at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar.
The Oak Leafers looked set to cruise to a comfortable win when they led by nine points midway through the second half, but Mayo came roaring back, with a goal from Paul Towey in the 56th minute helping them to close the gap to two points at one stage.
But Derry rediscovered their composure and four points in the final 10 minutes from Conor Glass, Shane McGuigan (free) and Niall Toner (two) saw them pull clear again in front of 9,373 spectators.
First-half goals from Niall Loughlin and McGuigan helped the Ulster champions on their way to a fifth victory of the campaign and keeps them on course for a shot at the league title later this month.
Mickey Harte's men led at the interval by six points and a brilliant goal from Conor McCluskey nine minutes after the restart left the game just beyond Mayo’s reach.
Last year’s league winners now look set to finish in mid-table after a third defeat of an inconsistent campaign which has included two losses at home.
Derry led at half-time by 2-07 to 1-04 after completely dominating the second quarter.
The visitors outscored Mayo 1-04 to no score in the final 16 minutes of the half as their slick counter-attacking game and efficient finishing left the home defence chasing shadows.
McGuigan finished the half with 1-04 and was at his brilliant best from the start.
Mayo had hit the ground running with two quickfire scores from Jack Carney and a Ryan O’Donoghue free, but Derry hit back immediately with the first of McGuigan’s points.
The All Star attacker then provided an inviting cross from the left wing which Niall Loughlin palmed into the Mayo net on nine minutes to put the Oak Leafers ahead for the first time.
But the cheers of their supporters had barely subsided when Mayo came sweeping downfield, and Stephen Coen and Tommy Conroy combined to send Jordan Flynn in on goal.
The wing-forward finished emphatically, cracking a fierce right-footed shot past Odhran Lynch to put Mayo back in front.
The ebb and flow of the game continued as McGuigan landed a couple of sweetly struck points which were cancelled out by well-worked efforts at the other end from Sam Callinan and Tommy Conroy.
Conroy’s drilled point in the 23rd minute edged Mayo ahead by 1-04 to 1-03 but that was to be the home side’s last score of the half.
Despite enjoying plenty of possession, Kevin McStay’s charges were unable to break down Derry’s well-organised and disciplined defence.
Harte’s men had no such issues at the other end and three points in a row from McGuigan (free), Ciaran McFaul and Padraig McGrogan left Derry ahead by 1-06 to 1-04 after 31 minutes.
Mayo then contrived to make life even more difficult for themselves when a poorly directed Colm Reape kick-out was intercepted by Ethan Doherty, and McGuigan finished clinically to the net when the goal chance presented itself.
Derry then extended their advantage to six points in the 36th minute when defender Diarmuid Baker joined the attack and popped over a neat score on the run.
The second half had looked set to follow the same pattern when Derry topped their advantage through points from Ethan Doherty, McGuigan, Gareth McKinless and impressive sub Niall Toner to lead by 3-11 to 1-08 after 49 minutes.
But Mayo managed to launch a typical comeback that set up a grandstand finish as Paul Towey goaled with his first touch in the 56th minute and Aaron McDonnell, Colm Reape ('45), Towey and Ryan O’Donoghue all raised white flags.
But Derry got their second wind to close the game out eventually.
Mayo: C Reape (0-02,1f, ‘45); A McDonnell (0-01), R Brickenden, S Callinan (0-01); D McHugh, S Coen, E Hession; J Carney (0-01), M Ruane; B Tuohy, F Boland (0-01), J Flynn (1-0); A O’Shea (0-02, 1f), T Conroy (0-01), R O’Donoghue (0-03, 2fs).
Subs used: C Loftus for Tuohy (44); J Coyne for Hession (47); P Towey (1-1) for Boland (55); F Kelly for McDonnell (65); K Quinn for Loftus (67, inj).
Derry: O Lynch; C McCluskey (1-00), C McKaigue, D Baker (0-01); G McKinless (0-01), E McEvoy, P McGrogan (0-01); C Glass (0-01), B Rogers; E Doherty (0-01), C McFaul (0-01), Paul Cassidy; N Loughlin (1-00), S McGuigan (1-06, 3fs), L Murray.
Subs used: N Toner (0-03) for Loughlin (HT); D Gilmore for McKinless (41); C Murphy for Murray (45).
Referee: S Lonergan (Tipperary)
