Derry City - 1 St Patrick's Athletic - 1: Derry City squandered a glorious opportunity to move into a mid-table position by losing their way against St Patrick's Athletic at the Brandywell last night.

And while the home side may have enjoyed more of the ball in the opening period, the second half proved a major disappointment.

A timely goal after 41 minutes saw Derry enter the break with a valuable lead after the "Candy Stripes" had dominated most of the scoring chances.

And it was substitute Conor O'Grady, who had entered the fray at the expense of the injured Gary Beckett after just 12 minutes, who netted the vital goal following a corner.

Sean Hargan floated the ball into the danger area and, as it made its way to the back post, O'Grady, with his back to goal, somehow hooked the ball home over his left shoulder.

However, Derry were rocked back on their heels in the 52nd minute by conceding what appeared a particularly soft goal.

Left winger Aidan O'Keefe gained possession on the flank and, having waltzed past two Derry defenders, the Dubliner beat goalkeeper David Forde at his near post.

And the home side clearly struggled after the goal, failing to trouble a well marshalled St Patrick's defence.

McCallion tried to spark life back into the home side in the 69th minute when his cross-cum-shot had to be helped over his crossbar by Chris Adamson.

DERRY CITY: Forde; Brennan, McLaughlin, Delaney; McCallion, Byrne, Deery, Hargan; Murphy, Beckett, Martyn. Subs: O'Grady for Beckett (12 mins); C Brennan for Hargan (70 mins); McGlynn for Deery (83 mins).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Adamson; Quigley, Maguire, Foley, Bell; Dunne, Quinless, Prenderville, O'Keefe; Doyle, Markey. Sub: Casey for Markey (88 mins).

Referee: Eddie Barr (Dublin).