Shamrock Rovers engineered yet another smash and grab raid at the Brandywell on Friday night; Pat Scully's side securing all three points thanks to an 82nd minute goal from substitute striker Tadhg Purcell.
As was the case last weekend against Sligo, Rovers produced what had appeared an unlikely second half strike as Derry City forced the issue throughout the second half.
But full credit to the Rovers defence and, in particular, their agile keeper, Barry Murphy, who produced the goods when required saving no fewer than three goalbound efforts during the second period.
Clearly set-up to hit on the break, super sub Purcell benefited from a superb flick-on by his striking partner, Padraig Amond, to hammer the ball low into the corner of the net from the edge of the area to effectively silence the home attendance.
However, up until that point Derry had more or less domianted this affair, but their failure in the final third despite a three-pronged attack cost them dearly for the second consecutive home game.
After a first half which boasted very few clear-cut chances, Derry’s Ciaran Martyn really should have broken the deadlock in the 31st minute.
The lively Niall McGinn crossed low from the right and while well placed and with time to spare, Martyn appeared to totally missed making contact with the ball from eight yards, and the visitors breathed a sigh of relief.
Rovers replied within 60 seconds when a Sean O’Connor cross found striker Mark Leech, and while his effort was on target, Derry keeper, Gerard Doherty, did well to parry the shot to the safety of his bye-line.
Derry appeared to up the tempo after the break and they went close to breaking the deadlock again in the 55th minute when McGinn burst through the centre, but his shot from the edge of the area was well saved by Murphy.
And one minute later Kevin Deery went close with a curling free from 20 yards, the ball dipping agonisingly over the crossbar.
On the hour the home side threatened, another McGinn run and cross finding Thomas Stewart but the ex-Linfield hitman diverted the ball into the side-netting from close range as Derry began to grow in confidence.
But Rovers were always dangerous on the break and when Ruaidhri Higgins lost possession, Purcell, who had just entered the fray as a 65th minute substitute, threatened with a powerful low shot, but Doherty was equal to the effort.
Murphy saved again from McGinn in the 79th minute, while Martyn flashed the ball over the bar in the 81st minute having controlled Kevin Deery’s right-wing cross.
Then came that late, late winner, as Rovers gained possession in the final third, and when Amond produced that deft touch and Purcell again worked his magic, Derry were left to rue missed chances.
Derry City: Doherty; Deery, Delaney, Hutton, Gray; Higgins, McGlynn, Martyn; McGinn, Farren, (McHugh, 75 mins.) Stewart (Morrow, 76 mins.)
Shamrock Rovers: Murphy; O’Brien, Flynn, Price (Doyle, 35 mins.) Treacy; McGill, Rice, O’Connor (Stapleton, 77 mins.); Amond, Leech (Purcell, 65 mins.)
Referee: Mr. H. Whoriskey (Meath).
