Derry City - 2 Shamrock Rovers - 0: Stephen Kenny's Derry City extended their unbeaten record to 25 games at the Brandywell last night, overwhelming Shamrock Rovers.

And the win keeps the Candystripes three points clear of Cork City, who have two games in hand.

It was a thoroughly deserved victory for the home side. In fact they really should have won by more.

Derry took the initiative from the outset and created three clear-cut chances in the opening 17 minutes. However, Mark Farren, Gary Beckett and Gareth McGlynn failed to hit the target.

But the best chance of the entire opening period was spurned by McGlynn in the 25th minute.

Paddy McCourt burst into the Shamrock Rovers penalty area and his cut-back found the unmarked McGlynn, but from 18 yards the midfielder directed his shot straight at goalkeeper Barry Murphy.

Rovers' only first-half scoring chance arrived in the 26th minute when Tony Sheridan found Mark Quigley, but his low shot was blocked by Derry keeper David Forde at his near post.

The home side had another scare in the 35th minute when Forde failed to gather a high free-kick from Sheridan, the ball rolling harmlessly into the side netting.

Before half-time both Kevin Deery and Farren missed further chances for the home side.

However, five minutes into the second half and Derry were finally rewarded for their persistence.

Ciaran Martyn played a superb pass through to McGlynn and his angled shot found the net, possibly aided inadvertently by back-peddling full-back Brian Shelley.

Derry continued to press and in the 54th minute, following a superb move, the home side really should have doubled their lead.

McCourt's long ball from the halfway line found Farren and his first-time cross from the left saw Martyn volley the effort over the crossbar from 16 yards.

The home side then hit the woodwork following another fluent Derry move, McCourt playing Farren in but while he steered the ball past the advancing Murphy, he was unfortunate to see it crash off the butt of the far post.

Clearly the dominant side, Derry finally sealed the points in the 78th minute from the penalty spot.

Referee Hugh Whoriskey immediately pointed to the spot following a corner after what appeared a push on Martyn by a defender.

Following prolonged but futile protests from the Rovers players, full-back Keith Doyle was shown a straight red card by Whoriskey and the Hoops were in even deeper trouble.

Eventually Farren stepped up to drive a low shot to the net, bringing his tally to the season to 17 goals.

Two minutes into injury time McGlynn crashed another effort off the crossbar as the home stormed to victory.

DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Hutton, Delaney, Hargan; McGlynn, Martyn (Murphy, 86 mins), Deery, McCourt; Beckett (O'Flynn, 77 mins), Farren.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; Shelley, Foley, McDonnell, Doyle; McDonagh, Tracey (O'Halloran, 86 mins), Rutherford; Quigley (Daniel, 61 mins), Sheridan (Roche, 51 mins), Molloy.

Referee: H Whoriskey (Meath).