Owen Morrison banged in two late goals as Derry City kept up their title quest with a victory over Finn Harps in the north-west derby at Finn Park.
Played in a cracking atmosphere before the biggest crowd of the season at the venue - the kick-off was delayed by eight minutes due to congestion outside the ground - Derry created the first opening when Mark Farren burst through.
Goalkeeper Gavin Cullen failed to hold his well struck drive but there was no supporting City attacker on hand to pounce.
Harps didn't really threaten until the 22nd minute when Conor Gethins let fly with a cracking effort from 20 yards that was narrowly wide.
City spurned a great chance to take the lead on 27 minutes when Eddie McCallion whipped in a right wing cross that was touched on by Mark Farren into the path of the diving Harps' old boy Kevin McHugh, but he could only head wide from inside the edge of the six yard box.
Harps finished the first half looking the more likely to break the deadlock. Stephen Parkhouse fired over after City net minder Gerard Doherty failed to collect a cross, and then Shaun Holmes curled a free just over the bar.
And with Tony Shields and Shaun Holmes linking with great effect, the Donegal side grew in confidence as the second half progressed.
But Derry's marvellous record against Harps continues. Morrison put them ahead with a delightful free from the edge of the box on 76 minutes and stunned Harps were still recovering when he blasted a real wonder strike into the top corner of the net from the edge of the box.
Harps have only beaten City five times in 52 competitive meetings.
Finn Harps: Cullen, Mukendi, Holmes, Boyle, Malcolm, Shields, Breen, McGowan, Parkhouse, Gethins, Williams. Subs: Funston for Breen (70 mins), Brolly for Shields (85 mins).
Derry City: Doherty, McCallion, Hutton, Delaney, Gray, McGlynn, Deery, Molloy, Morrison, McHugh, Farren. Subs: McGinn for Deery (60 mins), Sammon for Farren (88 mins).
Referee: Mr. H. Whoriskey (Dublin).
