Derry City did their north west neighbours Finn Harps no favours on Saturday night as they stole the points in dramatic fashion to leave the Donegal side firmly in the relegation dog fight.

Substitute Perry Taylor was the Derry hero coming off the bench in the 84th minute and then smashing home a wonderful goal a minute later to secure the victory.

The visitors had taken the lead in the 77th minute when Liam Coyle chipped Gavin Cullen from just inside the box, but that lead was short-lived .

Harps were back on level terms a minute later when Fergal Harkin slotted home from 12 yards after James Mulligan's shot had rebounded into his path.

Before that, there had been little to entertain the crowd and it looked for a long while as if the game would finish scoreless. The best chance of a dull first half came in the 23rd minute when Cullen made a great save to tip Sean Hargan's shot around the post. Harps' best chance fell to Paddy McGrenaghan in the 52nd minute, but he blazed over the bar.

With two goals in a minute, it seemed certain again that the sides would finish level, but Harps had not accounted for such an inspired first touch from Taylor and when his shot flew into the net, Harps' relegation worries were compounded.

Finn Harps: Cullen, Kenny, Bradley, Boyle, Dykes, Tierney, Mohan, McGrenaghan, Mulligan, Turner, Harkin.

Derry City: Platt, McCallion, Hargan, Hutton, Kelly, Quigley, McCaul, Hegarty, Coyle, Beckett, McIvor. Subs: McLaughlin for McIvor (63 mins), Taylor for McCaul (84 mins), McCready for Quigley (90 mins).

Referee: J Feighrey (Dublin).