Derry City moved into second place in the Eircom League Premier Division after a deserving 2-1 victory over relegation threatened Monaghan United at Century Homes Park this afternoon.
Monaghan took the game to their opponents but their enthusiastic start came to a sharp halt on 29 minutes when Derry’s Padraig Moran slotted home after rounding ‘keeper Robert Forde in fine style.
But Monaghan remained focused and grabbed the equaliser five minutes from half-time. Forde hoofed a long ball down field where the stagnant Derry defence failed to pick up Darren McKenna who made no mistake with the strike.
Derry should have regained the lead soon after the restart. The ball was drilled invitingly across the goal-mouth but the lunging Darren Kelly failed to make contact.
However, Derry did snatch the winner 19 minutes into the second half when a calamitous series of errors in the Monaghan defence gifted Gary Beckett the chance to lob Forde from 20 yards.
Meanwhile, two goals from Eddie Gormley secured a 2-0 victory for Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.
Bray were uninspiring in their manner of victory after Galway forced the Seagulls to work hard during the first half.
Gormley's precise corner deliveries gifted Barry O’Connor and Mick Doohan the chance to open the scoring, however, neither player could find the target.
Jason Byrne had possibly the best scoring opportunity of the half but screwed his effort wide when he had only Galway ‘keeper Mark Cobey to beat.
Galway were then denied the lead when Bray ‘keeper John Walsh made an impressive save to deny Billy Clery from six yards.
Galway, rooted to the bottom of the Eircom League Premier Division with only one win from 13 games, had done well to take to the break on a 0-0 scoreline.
However, their luck was to soon run out when 10 minutes into the second half Clery was adjudged to have handled in the box. Gormley made no mistake from the penalty spot.
Then four minutes later, Gormley rose highest to fiercely head Dave Williamson’s excellent right wing cross to the back of the Galway net.