Derry City moved into second spot on goal difference after an emphatic 3-0 victory over Drogheda United at Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Two quickfire goals from Sam Todd and Ronan Boyce settled the contest, before substitute Daniel Mullen sealed the points in stoppage time, with the scoreline arguably flattering the visitors.
Tiernan Lynch's side were always in control after Todd's opener, and the City boss will be pleased by the fact his charges have also kept three clean sheets on the bounce.
City had a half-chance early on but after turning well some 25 yards from goal, Gavin Whyte's stinging drive was straight at United keeper Luke Dennison.
The home side created an opening after 24 minutes as Michael Duffy's right wing free-kick into the United penalty box was headed wide by Kevin Holt, the big centre-back's glancing header flashed past the lefthand post.
Derry took the lead on 33 minutes as Duffy's right-wing centre found Todd, and the unmarked defender made no mistake, heading home into Dennison's bottom lefthand corner.
The Candystripes doubled their advantage two minutes later as Duffy's initial close range effort was cleared off the line and Boyce was on hand to make no mistake with the rebound.
United missed a glorious chance to pull one back straight awayvas Brian Maher made an outstanding save to keep out Thomas Oluwa's close-range shotvafter the striker had got in behind the City back-line.
Right before the break, City thought they had netted a third as Whyte's clever pass released Carl Winchester, the midfielder coolly slotted the ball low past Dennison, but his celebrations were cut short as the assistant had his flag up and the goal was disallowed.
United should have pulled a goal back just after the hour mark when Conor Keeley chested the ball down before volleying just past Maher's lefthand post.
In the closing stages, Derry's free-flowing passing nearly resulted in a third goal, but substitute Daniel Mullen saw his chipped effort sail just over the bar.
Right at the death Mullen did get his goal as he turned home his sixth of the season from close range after Duffy's initial shot was saved by Dennison.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Hayden Cann, Mark Connolly, Kevin Holt; Ronan Boyce, Carl Winchester (Robbie Benson 75), Sadou Diallo, Gavin Whyte (Paul McMullan 75), Michael Duffy, Sam Todd; Liam Boyce (Daniel Mullen 75).
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison, Conor Kane (Kieran Cruise 55), James Keeley, Aaron Harper-Bailey, Owen Lambe; Ryan Brennan (Scott Brady 55), Luke Heeney; Shane Farrell (Darragh Markey 60), Andrew Quinn; Douglas James-Taylor (Bridel Bosakani 87); Thomas Oluwa (Fuhad Kareem 60).
Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin).
