DERRY CITY, the runaway leaders, continued their relentless quest for the National League title with a win over Dundalk at Oriel Park last night, and they are now eight points clear of nearest rivals Bohemiams with eight games to go.

Dundalk fought a brave rearguard action but eventually bowed to the enevitable when James Keddy scored for the visitors with 15 minutes to go.

Derry set the pace right from the start but their finishing was sloppy and several chances were squandered. Tom Mohan had the miss of the match after only four minutes when he shot wide from about five yards. Keddy brought a great save from the Dundalk goalkeeper Les Fridge minutes earlier and shortly afterwards Liam Coyle brought another good save from Fridge.

Dundalk had the occasional chance, notably after 15 minutes when a good cross from the right by Ray Campbell was blasted just over the crossbar by Brian Byrne. Then in the 33rd minute a lob from about 35 yards by Joe Hanrahan almost caught out Derry goalkeeper Tony O'Dowd.

In the second half Derry pushed forward in waves with Paul Curran, Gavin Dykes and Paul Hegarty dominating midfield.

But it was not until the 75th minute that the winning score came and it resulted from a defensive mistake. Veteran defender Tom McNulty slipped on the left edge of the box giving possession to Keddy who cut into the area and scored with a good shot from about 15 yards which gave Fridge no chance.

Deriy should have added a second in the closing 15 minutes but were just that bit slow to the ball, allowing the Dundalk defenders a chance to clear.