DERRY CITY: Patterson strike gives City victory at Brandywell

RORY PATTERSON’s first half strike proved decisive as Derry City’s impressive form continued with victory over a dogged Bohemians side.

It was the Candystripes ninth game unbeaten in all competitions; a seventh win in nine matches and their fifth home win of the campaign.

And while it was far from a convincing display from Kenny Shiels’ side, Patterson’s first half strike was enough to see off Keith Long’s determined troops.

Derry had dominated the early chances and Nathan Boyle was presented with the first on three minutes when he took down Patrick McClean’s crossfield ball before racing towards goal but his strike went wide of the post,

And on 14 minutes Keith Ward played a beautifully executed reverse pass through the heart of the Bohs defence to McNamee who lost his footing with only the keeper to beat. However, Patterson was alert to the loose ball and made no mistake with the close range finish.

Byrne tried his luck from distance four minutes later but his dipping shot went narrowly over the bar.

The Bohs striker really should have equalised on the half hour mark when he took down Wearen’s sublime pass over the top on the chest but he somehow missed the ball and the chance was lost.

Boyle then had his powerful effort palmed away by Delany five minutes before the break before Niclas Vemmelund blasted high and wide from a promising position.

Eoin Wearen tested Gerard Doherty with what proved his last action of the game in first half stoppage time but the keeper punched away his long distance strike.

McNamee was sent scampering clear on the hour mark by a first time Ward pass but the Co. Donegal man screwed his shot harmlessly into the hands of Delany.

It was a stop-start second half but Derry did enough to extend their unbeaten run and maintain second position in the league.

Derry City: G. Doherty; N. Vemmelund, R. McBride, P. McClean, C. McDermott; C. McCormack, A. McEneff; K. Ward, B. McNamee, N. Boyle (R. Curtis 84); R. Patterson; Subs Not Used - S. Patton, J. Blake, R. Wilson, R. Doherty, J. Daniels, J. Allen.

Bohemians: D. Delany; L. Fitzgerald, R. Lopes, D. Prendergast, D. Mulcahy; A. Ben Mohamed (J. Kelly 70), D. Byrne, E. Wearen (M. Quigley h-t), K. Buckley, P. Kavanagh; K. Byrne; L. Stacey, J. Caffrey, P. Rooney, S. Best.

Referee - Paul Tuite.