FAI Cup holders Derry City made hard work of overcoming First Division strugglers Monaghan at a breezy Brandywell.
Indeed, the Candystripes had to wait until eight minutes from time before securing their passage to the next round.
Despite dominating the play, Derry struggled in the final third and that, combined with the alertness of Monaghan keeper, Alvin Rouse, always kept the First Division side in this game.
For home striker, Mark Farren, it could have been a totally forgettable night, the Donegal man having missed a plethora of clear-cut scoring chances.
But he will take consolation from netting the insurance goal in the 82nd minute.
Derry's Paddy McCourt had earlier broken the deadlock for the home side in the fifth minute when he powered the ball home through a forest of legs following a corner.
Monaghan's only chance centred on a Peter D'arcy free-kick in the 15th minute, Derry keeper Pat Jennings touching the ball over his crossbar.
Derry City: Jennings; McCallion, Oman, Kelly, Brennan; McGlynn, Molloy, Deery (Higgins, 80 mins.), McCourt (Hargan, 80 mins.); Beckett (McHugh, 56 mins.), Farren.
Monaghan United: Rouse; Whelan, Williamson, Burke, Mooney, Gannon, Mackay (Meenan, 74 mins.), D’Arcy, Farrell, Doyle, Feeney.
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
