Drogheda United took all three points from their visit to Derry City, Paul Doolin's men bouncing back from last week's disappointing FAI Cup elimination at the hands of Bohemians.
And it was a deserved win for Paul Doolin's depleted side - who had seven players injured and two suspended - with their strikeforce of Eamon Zayed and Sami Ristila wreaking havoc in the home defence throughout the first half.
But it was Doolin's decision to compete, despite the absentees, which reaped handsome dividends in the end and while his side always threatened when in attack, they defended resolutely when under the cosh in the second period.
Drogheda opened brightly when a Zayed cross in the 13th minute found Ristila totally unmarked, but he directed his free header straight at Pat Jennings.
And one minute later a James Keddy cross was flicked on by Ristilla before Zayed’s deft touch crashed off the upright.
Zayed had a low shot parried wide by Jennings in the 20th minute before Drogheda were eventually rewarded for their persistence in the 34th minute.
Again it was the combination of the United Park front men who worked the magic when Zayed played Ristila in and when the Finn successfully turned Darren Kelly, he swept the ball high into the net for what was a superb finish.
Drogheda maintained their determination after the break and both Keddy and Zayed had chances to put the game out of Derry’s reach.
However, a double substitution in the 55th minute seemed to spark the home side into action and one of those subs, Ruaidhri Higgins, forced Drogs 'keeper, Dan Connor, into his first save of the match following a free-kick – Derry’s first shot on target.
On the hour another Derry effort by Eddie McCallion was turned around the Drogheda post by Connor as the home side began to come to terms with this affair.
However, try as they did, there was no way past a tenacious and well organised rearguard.
But the home side crafted out a superb equalising chance three minutes from the end when Mark Farren worked his way into space but he pulled his shot agonisingly wide.
Derry’s hopes of a Championship challenge were practically brought to an end with this home defeat, while Drogheda move within two points of leaders St Pat's, with a game in hand to boot.
Derry City – Jennings; McCallion, Kelly (Hynes 77 mins.), Oman, Hargan (Higgins 55 mins.); McGlynn, Molloy, Deery, Brennan; Beckett (McHugh, 55 mins.), Farren.
Drogheda Utd – Connor; Byrne, Gray, Shelley, Lynch; Whelan, Keegan, Bradley, Keddy; Ristila, (O’Keeffe, 81), Zayed.
Referee – Ian Stokes (Dublin).
