Galway United 0-4 Derry City
Mark Timlin bagged a brace as Derry City claimed a vital SSE Airtricity League Premier Division win at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Timlin created substitute Ciaran O'Connor's opening goal for the Candystripes, who dominated throughout.
On the hour mark Timlin scored a penalty before pouncing again in the 63rd minute as Galway were in severe trouble.
Stephen Dooley sealed the deal for Derry with a fourth in the 89th minute as Peter Hutton's team grabbed a valuable three points in the west.
Improving Derry were solid during a tepid opening quarter which was all about midfield perspiration rather than any inspiration.
The Candystripes eventually went close in the 26th minute when Ryan McBride's low drive forced a fine save from Galway custodian Ger Hanley.
Three minutes before the break Derry should have hit the front as Galway failed to deal with a Mark Timlin free-kick.
Despite Galway's defensive uncertainty Rob Cornwall headed over as the Tribesmen survived a significant scare.
Six minutes after the restart busy Derry substitute Ciaran O'Connor released Philip Lowry, who shot wide from an acute angle.
Peter Hutton's side, though, were dominant and their perseverance was rewarded on 52 as O'Connor ruthlessly punished a defensive lapse in concentration.
Timlin's clever pass enabled the on-loan attacker to guide Derry into a deserved lead as the visitors' struck a deserved goal.
Derry added a second on the hour mark when Timlin converted a penalty following a Cormac Raftery foul on Mark Timlin.
It was turning into a disastrous evening for Galway, who leaked a third on 63 as O'Connor turned provider for Timlin to score again.
Seven minutes from the end of normal time a hooked Jake Keegan effort hit the post, but a clinical Derry side hit a fourth late on.
Dooley decorated an excellent victory for Derry with a delightful goal in the last minute on a demoralising evening for Galway.
Galway United: Ger Hanley; Cormac Raftery, Killian Cantwell, Samuel Oji, Colm Horgan; Gary Shanahan, Alex Byrne (Aran McConnell, 90), David O’Leary (Paul Sinnott, 82), Jason Molloy; Jake Keegan, Stephen Walsh.
Subs not used: Kevin Horgan, Enda Curran, Conor Melody, Conor Barry.
Derry City: Ger Doherty; Rob Cornwall, Ryan McBride, Aaron Barry; Stephen Dooley, Philip Lowry, Conor McCormack, Barry McNamee, Dean Jarvis (Mark Quigley, 84); Mark Timlin, Patrick McEleney (Ciaran O’Connor, 21, Ryan Curran, 72).
Subs not used: Shaun Patton, Ronan Curtis, Aaron McEneff, Seamus Sharkey.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
