A goal on 33 minutes from Derry City captain Eamonn Doherty ensured maximum points for Derry City at Terryland Park last night.

In the hectic early stages, Eddie Hickey in the United goal had to be alert to foil the inrushing Jamie Hughes after only a few seconds.

On six minutes United's Alan Murphy set up Derek O'Brien who unleashed a vicious drive from 20 yards which dipped over the bar.

A minute later Derry's Darren Kelly shot over the bar.

Tommy McCallion's corner on 10 minutes for the visitors proved useless as none of his team-mates got a touch to it.

Within five minutes a 33-yard drive on Gary Beckett caused anxiety to Eddie Hickey but he gathered the ball before an inrushing Hughes got a glance to it.

Derry took the lead when the home defence failed to clear a long-range throw from Seβn Hargan. In a scrambled goalmouth, Derry captain Eoin Doherty rammed home from close range.

Galway United's Michael Quirke sent a corner in from the right, but team-mate Billy Clery at the far post just managed to glide the ball in the way of Russell Payne.

United managed to dominate proceedings in terms of possession on the resumption but no score came their way as Derry had their fourth win in this season's league campaign.

GALWAY UNITED: HIckey, Clery (Fortune 87), Sheridan, Silke, Quirke, Ryan, Murphy Crossley 67), Herrick, O'Brien, Keogh, O'Shaughnessy.

DERRY CITY: Payne, McLaughlin, E McCallion, Kelly, Hargan, Beckett, Doherty (Cpoyle 36), Phillips, Moran (McCready 73), T McCallion, Hughes (Parkhouse 80).

Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford)