Three goals in the space of 11 minutes against Sligo Rovers at the Brandywell, moved Derry City to within four points of Shelboure at the summit of the Premier Divsion table after they claimed an impressive 4-0 victory.
After Saturday night's victory in Longford, Stephen Kenny's men made it clear that they had not given up their hopes of going one better than last season's league effort.
Sligo will have no complaints at last night's defeat - their heaviest of the season - and his sights are firmly focused on Sunday week's FAI Cup semi-final which is also against the 'Candy Stripes' at the Showgrounds.
Derry's Darren Kelly breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute. Gareth McGlynn's deep corner found Kelly at the back post and his looping header dropped in the far corner of the net.
Six minutes later it was 2-0, a Sean Hargan shot from 30 yards deflecting off the body of Sligo skipper, Michael McNamara giving keeper, John O'Hara no chance.
And the game was effectively over as a contest in the 29th minute when Stephen O'Flynn worked his way into the danger area from the left before his powerful shot crashed into the net with O'Hara getting a touch.
With Harpal Singh joining Mansaram in the front-line for the second half, Sligo certainly improved and they came close to reducing the deficit in the 66th minute when a cross from Turner was driven against the post by Adam Hughes.
But the home side added a fourth in the 67th minute when O'Flynn unselfishly set-up Farren and he drove the ball into the corner from 18 yards.
Derry City: Forde; McCallion, Kelly, Hutton, Hargan; McGlynn, Martyn (Higgins, 63 mins.), Molloy, O'Flynn; Beckett (Holmes, 44 mins.), Farren (Deery, 77 mins.).
Sligo Rovers: O'Hara; Peers, McNamara, Burns, Foy; Curran (Kuduzovic, 36 mins.), Hughes (Coleman, 75 mins.), O'Grady, Turner, Singh; Mansaram (McTiernan, 59 mins.).
Referee: R Winters (Wicklow)
