PATRICK McELENEY'S superb strike in the 68th minute proved the difference between the sides and the Candystipes now enjoy a three point lead at the top of the table.  

Bohemians, who entered the match in buoyant mood following their 2-1 victory in Sligo last Saturday evening, made most of the early running with Owen Heary and Keith Buckley combining intelligently down their right-hand side.

However, neither side managed any degree of cohesion in the opening exchanges with Derry adopting a five-man midfield and rarely offering the necessary support for lone striker Eamon Zayed who was forced to live off scraps.

The visitors gradually began to exert themselves on proceedings and could have opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Zayed connected with a Stephen McLaughlin left-wing cross but the league’s top scorer headed wastefully over the bar from eight yards.

Within a minute, Patrick McEleney showed nimble footwork to work a shooting chance from the edge of the box but his left foot effort lacked sufficient power to unduly trouble Barry Murphy in the hosts’ goals.

On 40 minutes, Bohs finally managed their first shot on target when Downes’ shot from twelve yards from cleared to safety by Eddie McCallion as Derry struggled to clear a Killian Brennan free-kick.

There was almost a dramatic start to the second-half as Ruaidhri Higgins placed McLaughlin free in the inside-left channel but the winger’s well-struck shot from 14 yards rebounded off the near post and out for a goal kick.

The soporific nature of the first half was soon forgotten as Bohemians attacked with greater purpose and in the 52nd minute Heary showed great skill in chesting a Brennan cross inside the box but his subsequent volley flew narrowly over Gerard Doherty’s crossbar.

There was a greater flow to the game now and Zayed should have done better in the 54th minute when having peeled off Aidan Price at the far post, he shot wastefully wide from Daniel Lafferty’s excellent delivery.

Price looked to have handed the Gypsies the lead in the 65th minute when he powerfully headed Brennan’s corner to the net but referee Neil Doyle penalised the centre-half for a push on Zayed and that decision was given added resonance three minutes later as Derry took the lead.

The goal's origin lay in a Kevin Deery corner from the right-wing that Zayed flicked towards goal and although Murphy parried the initial effort, McEleney was on hand to cheekily back-heel to the net from six yards.

Another Deery corner six minutes later almost led to City’s second goal but this time Murphy got sufficient purchase to tip over Lafferty’s effort as Derry looked to put the result beyond doubt.

The league leaders continued to threaten on the counter attack as the hosts looked to salvage a point but the nearest they came was a first-time shot from Christopher Forrester that flew wide in the 89th minute.          

BOHEMIANS: Murphy; Heary, Burns (Forrester, 80), Price, Cahill; Buckley (Hurley, 46), Cronin, O’Brien, Brennan; Fagan (Flood, 58), Downes.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; McCallion, Greacen, S McEleney, Lafferty; P McEleney, Deery, Molloy, Higgins (Harkin, 90), McLaughlin; Zayed (McDaid, 79).

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)