STEPHEN KENNY’S kids pulled off a major shock at a thrilled Brandywell to beat Sligo Rovers on penalties after extra-time failed to separate the sides in the EA SPORTS Cup semi-final.

A youthful Derry City side showed tremendous character to defeat the holders after the game finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.

And making the victory all the more impressive was that Derry accomplished it after Danny Lafferty had been sent off in injury-time at the end of the final for a last man tackle on Danny Ventre.

However, the hero of the night was, without doubt, winger Stephen McLaughlin having netted two goals before striking home Derry's vital fifth penalty after Sligo's Richie Ryan had missed his side's third spot-kick.

The Candystripes will now bid to win the competition for the 10th time when they meet Cork City on Saturday, September 24.

Having made no fewer than seven changes to the team which defeated Bohemians on Friday night, City manager Kenny will have been delighted with the efforts of his kids.

Derry may have ridden their luck on quite a few occasions throughout the game and while short on experience they battled against the well drilled and well organised Bit O'Red who fielded without Joseph Ndo who eventually entered the fray as a late substitute.

Derry broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Emmet Friars flicked on Ruairi Harkin’s free and Danny Lafferty ghosted in at the back post to head the ball pass Brendan Clarke.

But Sligo levelled on the stroke of half-time when Ryan cut the ball back into the path of the advancing Ventre and the midfielder crashed a superb shot to the net from 25 yards.

With Derry keeper, Eugene Ferry, regularly involved in the action, Derry caught Sligo on the counter-attack in the 75th minute to move back into the driving seat.

Harkin’s teasing cross met by the head of McLaughlin whose downward header gave Clarke no chance from close range.

Four minutes later Sligo deservedly levelled, Aaron Green driving the ball low across the face of goal before Eoin Doyle controlled it before lashing the ball home from 10 yards.

With Derry down to ten men in extra-time, McLaughlin produced a superb strike before Doyle netted his brace in the 108th minute with the crowd on its feet at 3-3.

In the penalty shoot out Derry netted all five penalties with McLaughlin netting the vital fifth after Ryan had his spot-kick saved by Ferry to send the young Candystripes through.

DERRY CITY – Ferry; McEleney (McCallion, 77), McBride, Friars, Lafferty;  McLaughlin, Henry (Molloy, 70), Higgins, McCrudden (Morrison, 52); Harkin, David McDaid.

SLIGO ROVERS – Clarke; Cretaro, Peers, McGuinness, Powell; Ventre (Kirby 104), Ryan, Russell; Greene (Ndo 84), Blinkhorn, Doyle.

Referee – R Winter (Wicklow)