DERRY CITY stretched their unbeaten run to eight games and are up to second after a controversial win at Dalymount Park.

 

Until Bohemians winger Keith Buckley’s 44th minute dismissal the Candystripes had looked second best to their hosts who had started the evening level on points with them.

The 19 year old was probably overzealous in his challenge with Daniel Lafferty, but on the advice of linesman Rafal Pieper, Padraig Sutton reached for his red card.

There was consternation on the pitch and in the stands and Liam Burns was booked for his part in the post-sending off row and within minutes, on the cusp of half time, Derry were in front.

And there was no shortage of controversy about the opener either. Owen Heary, Robert Bayly and Killian Brennan were all harrying James McClean and Sutton again whistled for a free-kick. Kevin Deery’s free was perfect and Lafferty glanced home the opener.

Bohs boss Pat Fenlon was dismissed for his protests and from a position of dominance, the Gypsies went in shellshocked after dominating proceedings.

Within three minutes of the restart, the lead had been doubled with a well worked goal.

Gareth McGlynn sent the ball in to Eamon Zayed who laid it off brilliantly for McClean who ghosted in and beat Chris O’Connor brilliantly.

That was that, Bohs battled gamely but down a man, they struggled to compete and Bayly did well to clear off the line from Stewart Greacan’s header.

The Gypsies got a late lifeline, when Brennan won a penalty from Shane McEleney, but he went for an audacious chip which came back off the cross bar. Anto Flood’s follow up also hit the woodwork and the Candystripes closed the game out.

It could have been so different had Flood, who was immense during the first half, taken one of his chances.

He couldn’t find a way past Ger Doherty, who was immense in the Derry goal, denying the striker on three occasions.

First, the big stopper turned Flood’s shot around the post after the forward pulled Liam Burns’ long ball out of the sky brilliantly.

Minutes later, he was beaten by Flood but his lob came down just over the bar.

Doherty then clawed away Owen Heary’s header from a Brennan cross, before Stephen Traynor headed a Flood cross wide.

It was all Bohs, but then Buckley’s exuberance got him in trouble and Derry took full advantage.

BOHEMIANS – O’Connor; Heary, Burns, Price (Feely 87), O’Brien; Buckley, Bayly, Brennan, Cahill (Dixon 74); Traynor, Flood.

DERRY CITY – Doherty; McCallion, Greacan, S McEleleney, Lafferty; Higgins, Deery; P McEleney (McDaid 88), McGlynn, McClean (McLoughlin 90); Zayed.

REFEREE –P Sutton (Clare)