Derry City boss Stephen Kenny insisted this tie is very much alive ahead of next week's return at the Brandywell after an organised, disciplined and gutsy display in the Vassil Levski Stadium last night.

The Candystripes frustrated a talented CSKA who, despite all their possession, had to settle for a solitary Ivan Stoyanov goal, leaving the Derry to rightly think they have everything to play for on Foyleside.

The goal came on 74 minutes. A long throw from Pavel Vidanov was only partially cleared and it fell to midfielder Stoyanov who drilled a shot past Ger Doherty from just outside the box.

Though still warm, the dead heat of the day had subsided and Derry coped well in the clammy conditions. The Bulgarians never troubled Doherty in the first half, their only real chance coming two minutes before the interval when Ivan Stoyanov got by Ger O’Brien on the left to shoot wide.

Derry countered well and had the only corner of the first half and its best chance on 31 minutes, Thomas Stewart heading wide from right-back O’Brien’s cross.

CSKA, booed off at the break, were better on the resumption and Doherty had to make a superb save with his feet to deprive Brazilian Marquinhos two minutes in.

Doherty tipped over from Rui Miguel while Dormuschali Saidhodzha shot over before the goal arrived.

CSKA: Chavdarov; Minev , Kotev, Ivanov, Vidanov; I. Stoyanov, Petrov (Orlinov, 58 mins.), Yanev, Marquinhos;  Simonov (Saidhodzha, 66 mins.); Rui Miguel (Todorov, 80 mins.).

Derry City: Doherty; O’Brien, Delaney, Hutton, Gray; McGlynn (McCallion, 73 mins.), Molloy, Higgins (Martyn, 81 mins.), Deery, Stewart; McManus (Farren, 71 mins).

Referee: Selcuk Dereli (Turkey).