Derry City 0 Shamrock Rovers 1:SHAMROCK ROVERS engineered yet another smash-and-grab raid at the Brandywell last night, and Pat Scully's side secured all three points thanks to an 82nd-minute effort from substitute striker Tadhg Purcell.

As was the case last weekend against Sligo, Rovers produced what had appeared an unlikely second-half winner, as Derry City had forced the issue throughout the second half.

But full credit to the Rovers defence and, in particular, their agile goalkeeper, Barry Murphy, who produced the goods by saving no fewer than three goalbound efforts during the second period.

Clearly set-up to hit on the break, super sub Purcell benefited from a superb flick-on by his striking partner, Padraig Amond, to hammer the ball low into the corner from the edge of the area to effectively silence the attendance.

However, up until that point Derry had dominated this affair, but their failure in the final third, despite a three-pronged attack, cost them dearly for the second consecutive home game.

Derry appeared to up the tempo after the break and they went close to breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute when Niall McGinn burst through the centre, but his shot from the edge of the area was well saved by Murphy.

And one minute later Kevin Deery went close with a curling free that dipped just over the bar.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; Deery, Delaney, Hutton, Gray; Higgins, McGlynn, Martyn; McGinn, Farren, (McHugh, 75 mins), Stewart (Morrow, 76 mins).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; O'Brien, Flynn, Price (Doyle, 35 mins), Treacy; McGill, Rice, O'Connor (Stapleton, 77 mins); Amond, Leech (Purcell, 65 mins).

Referee: H Whoriskey (Meath).