National League Cup, semi-final/Derry City - 2 Longford - 1: Longford Town relinquished their League Cup crown at the Brandywell last night and, with two players sent off, it proved a poor night for the Alan Mathews managed side.

Derry City will now face UCD next month with the winner securing a place in next season's Setanta Cup competition.

The home side had moved into a 2-0 lead by the 68th minute before Barry Ferguson reduced the deficit three minutes later. The Longford captain was then sent off in the 73rd minute after receiving a second yellow card.

Despite the sending off it took a superb save from Derry goalkeeper David Forde in the 89th minute, following a Stephen Paisley header, to deny the travelling side taking the game to extra-time.

Derry broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute following a fluent move down the right. Gareth McGlynn broke free and when he found Ciarán Martyn, who squared the ball for the unmarked Mark Farren to swept the ball past the advancing Stephen O'Brien.

The home team then doubled their lead in the 68th minute when Farren added his second. A free-kick by Peter Hutton into the penalty area was headed on by Killian Brennan and the Derry striker burst through to force the ball over the line.

Three minutes later, however, Longford reduced the deficit. Substitute Stephen Gough sent a free into the area and Ferguson dived to head the ball home.

That goal was Ferguson's final involvement as he was involved in an off-the-ball altercation with Derry substitute Gary Beckett. Having already been booked in the 32nd minute, referee Hugo Whoriskey had no option but to send the central defender off.

Derry then had a superb opportunity to end the game as a contest when Martyn found Stephen O'Flynn with a perfectly placed pass in the 80th minute but the striker sliced his shot wide of the target with the goal at this mercy.

Following the final whistle Longford substitute Dessie Baker was shown a red card for what appeared to be persistent dissent.

DERRY CITY: Forde; D. Brennan, Hutton, McLaughlin, Brennan; McGlynn, Martyn, Molloy, McCourt; O'Flynn, Farren. Subs: Beckett for McCourt (56 mins), Cash for O'Flynn (87 mins).

LONGFORD TOWN: O'Brien; O'Connor , Ferguson, Paisley, Dillon; Kirby, Fitzgerland Byrne, Cronin; Myler, Keegan. Subs: Gough for O'Connor (60 mins), Baker for Myler (78 mins), Martin for Kirby (80 mins).

Referee: H Whoriskey (Meath).