Shamrock Rovers dug deep to take three points against Derry City, despite being put under intense pressure by the Candystripes.

Two first half goals looked to have set Rovers cruising, with Sean O'Connor and Tadhg Purcell giving the Hoops a comfortable lead.

However, a second half onslaught saw the visitors pull one back and put their hosts under serious pressure for most of the last 45 minutes.

O'Connor scored a screamer on 7 minutes, curling the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box.

And it got better for the home supporters on 25 minutes when Dessie Baker sent a cross into the box for the unmarked Purcell to head home from just eight yards out.

It was a different story after the break, however. McManus gave the visitors a lifeline just minutes after the restart when he was given far too much time on the edge of the box to fire a glorious shot into the top corner.

Derry piled on the pressure for the entire second half and will feel that they did enough to draw, or even win, the match.

However, for all their pressure, the visitors did not create too many clear-cut chances.

Thomas Stewart went close with a shot from the edge of the box, well saved by Barry Murphy, and some goal yard scrambles had the Rovers fans nervous.

However, the Hoops managed to hold out for a valuable three points. Now just three points behind Bohemians, Rovers' title charge continues.

Shamrock Rovers: Murphy, Sullivan, Sives, Price, Cahill, Purcell, Robinson, Rice (Bradley '90), O'Connor, Twigg (Johnston '75), Baker (Flynn '83).

Subs: Duggan, Maguire.

Derry City: Doherty, O'Brien, Delaney, Molloy, Gray (Martyn '88), McGlynn, Higgins, Deery, Stewart (Scullion '75), Farren (Nash '82), McManus.

Subs: Jennings, McEleaney.

Referee: Declan Hanney.