Derry City 2 Shamrock Rovers 3: Derry City were brought crashing back to earth at the Brandywell last night and, ironically, it was a Derry man who proved their undoing.

Despite a spirited comeback having fallen 3-1 in arrears by half-time, Derry failed to contain Pat McCourt, who netted twice against his hometown club.

Rovers got off to a superb start with two early goals. In the sixth minute Trevor Molloy was allowed to cross the ball into the danger area from the left and striker David Mooney was left unmarked to tap the ball home off the upright.

Then, eight minutes later, McCourt robbed Killian Brennan before bursting clear to drive the ball into the corner of the net.

The home side reduced the deficit when Damien Brennan found Mark Farren unmarked inside the area and his powerful shot found the roof of the net.

Rovers were devastating on the counterattack and in one such move McCourt again pounced to dispossess Peter Hutton, the Rovers player giving David Forde no chance in a one-on-one situation in the 45th minute.

With 13 minutes remaining the home side reduced the deficit to set up a dramatic finish. Seán Hargan did well to pull the ball back for Ciarán Martyn and he finished with aplomb.

With Rovers getting large numbers back defending their lead, Derry failed to grab that equaliser as the clock ran down.

DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, D Brennan (McGlynn, 46 mins); Cash, Murphy (Martyn, 70 mins) Higgins, K Brennan; O'Flynn (Hargan, 33 mins), Farren.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Payne; Gough, McGuinness, Gavin, Phillips; McCourt, McDonnell, McDonagh, Molloy; Feeney, Mooney (O'Connor, 70 mins).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).