Derry City skipper Peter Hutton celebrated his final game in front of his devoted Brandywell fans with a deserved victory over Bray Wanderers last night.

 

Hutton, who was making his 663 competitive appearance, will play in the final league game against Dundalk next week and in the Setanta Cup game against St. Pat's before ending his association with the "Candy Stripes."

 

And while Hutton will have noted that Derry certainly deserved to win last night's game, he will agree that the final scoreline was flattering as Bray midfielder, Dave Mulcahy netted an goal to seal his side's relegation to the First Division in the 63rd minute.

 

A superb shot by Bray's Stephen Brennan forced Derry keeper, Gerard Doherty, into a top class save in the 17th minute but within 60 seconds, the home side responded.

 

Thomas Stewart did well to work his way in behind the Bray defence and his low centre presented Davy McDaid with the simplest of tap-ins, the teenager's third goal in as many games.

 

Derry, however, seemed to struggle for a period afterwards with Bray actually gaining momentum, the basement side forcing the home lot onto the back foot, but they failed to make that pressure count in the front line.

 

Indeed, minutes before the break, Bray's hopes were not helped with the loss of centre-back, Derek Foran and left winger, Gary McCabe, to injury.

 

After the change of ends the home side doubled their advantage in the 55th minute from a set-piece situation.

 

James Clean floated in a corner from the right before the towering Clive Delaney headed firmly home from eight yards.

 

And Bray's automatic relegation to the First Division was confirmed in the 63rd minute, the unfortunate Mulcahy heading the ball into his own goal from close range as he attempted to clear.

 

Derry City: Doherty; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, O'Brien (Kearney 80); Deery (Scullion 79), Higgins, McClean; Stewart (Morrow 76), McDaid.

 

Bray Wanderers: O'Connor; Pender, Foran (Shields 45), Webster, Doyle; Coughlan, Mulcahy, Brennan, McCabe (Massey 41); Flood, Mulroy.

 

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).