Derry City manager Kenny Shiels branded some of their defending "absolutely disgusting" after the 4-2 defeat to Cork City at Turner's Cross.
The Candystripes slumped to a fifth defeat in six games, with 19 goals conceded during them in a concerning dip in form following a long run of victories.
They shipped the first goal early on in Cork as Karl Sheppard ran across the front post to nip in to head home, and their midfield and backline again switched off again 40 seconds into the second half as Sheppard grabbed a second when pointing where he wanted the ball played through and shooting into the net.
The third goal saw their wall break up to allow Kieran Sadlier to curl a free-kick home, while the fourth was a break away headed in by Graham Cummins.
Cork City beat Derry City 4-2 this afternoon in Turner's Cross. Watch the highlights here. pic.twitter.com/92JfiXZIDr
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Shiels also questioned the officiating, feeling "everything was designed for Cork to get back top of the league".
He told RTÉ Sport: "I'm not happy because basic defending let us down again. It was never a free-kick and the second goal was a foul. Everything was designed for Cork to get back top of the league.
"I can see that at the expense of us. I wasn't happy with the refereeing. We had controlled the game and got back into it. We were in charge at 2-2 and our boys in there are in bits because they don't know how we lost that game.
"I know how, because the wall broke to make it 3-2, which is ridiculous. How can the wall break?
"Karl Sheppard comes off the side and scores the second one when the players knew about it. There was no communication across the back four. Absolutely disgusting. We were the dominant team for most of the game and even the Cork management team would admit that.
"We were well in control of the ball. They score the early goal as we let Sheppard get across the front and get a header. It's poor, poor defending and we have to remedy that. I'm not happy at all with the defending tonight."
Former manager Declan Devine said City desperately need the mid-season break to freshen up and feels Shiels will add to his squad.
Devine added: "There is something wrong at the minute. Derry are fantastic with the ball, but when they haven’t got the ball it’s completely different. They are very open. Their transition to attack leaves a lot of spaces for the opposition to exploit.
"Derry need to regroup. They look very tired, physically and mentally, it’s part of the problem when you have such a young side. Hopefully Kenny can get it turned around because over the course of the last couple of years he has done a fantastic job."
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