DERRY City blew the race for the Premier Division title wide open following this thriller at the Brandywell.

In the end, the home side just about deserved their victory with Rovers only really sparking into action after Derry had broken the deadlock.

And the result certainly makes the race for the Premier Division title particularly interesting with St. Pat’s and Sligo Rovers also celebrating this outcome.

With Reading boss, Brian McDermott and his Director of Football, Nick Hammond, interested spectators at the Foyleside venue running their eyes over the James McClean, they will also have been impressed with the quality of a number of players on view.

Indeed, none more so that Derry's 20-year-old centre-half, Ryan McBride, who produced an accomplished performance in his first league start on home soil.

Derry certainly had quality chances to break the deadlock during the first half but Stephen McLaughlin and Eamon Zayed failed to take advantage.

Doherty, meanwhile, signaled his intent with an excellent block on Gary Twigg’s shot in the 28th minute.

But the best chance of the opening period was created by the home side.

In the 38th minute, following a catalogue of errors in the Rovers defence, Zayed drove a shot straight at Alan Mannus in a one-on-one situation.

And while Patrick McEleney latched onto the loose ball, his pass into the danger area was poked clear by the back-tracking Rovers skipper, Stephen Rice.

Rovers defender Clive Sives did well to head the ball clear of his goal as Derry finished the half strongly with Mannus doing well to produce a quality stop when denying Patrick McEleney.

The home side maintained the momentum after the break and they netted the goal their play deserved in the 53rd minute.

A Daniel Lafferty free-kick, 30 yards from goal appeared to bounce off the ground before striking the hand of Mannus who seemed to spill the ball into his net.

Rovers stepped up a gear and they went so close to restoring equality in the 74th minute when a Twigg shot on the turn was superbly turned away from his goal by Derry keeper, Doherty.

But Derry hit back with McLaughlin working his way forward before a James McClean effort was superbly parried by Mannus.

Doherty produced the goods again when pulling of a magnificent save from Billy Dennehy as Rovers pushed forward at every available opportunity.

And the keeper then made matters safe with a magnificent parry in the dying moments to deny Twigg from close range.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; S. McEleney, McBride, Greacen, Lafferty; P. McEleney (Harkin, 72), Higgins, Molloy, McClean; McLaughlin, Zayed.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Sullivan, Sives, Oman, Stevens; McCabe (Kelly, 58), Finn, Rice (Turner, 58), Dennehy; Twigg, Kilduff (O’Donnell, 72).

REFEREE: D Hancock (Dublin).