Derry City leave it late against Sligo Rovers

Michael Duffy scored a 94th minute winner as Derry City boosted their European hopes by beating Sligo Rovers 1-0 in their League of Ireland Premier Division fixture at Brandywell.

The Candystripes stay second in the table, four points clear of third placed Bohemians, but have played one game more than the Dublin club.

The top three sides in the Premier Division will qualify for European competitions next season.

Tiernan Lynch's side remain unbeaten in their last seven league games.

Sligo stay seventh, three points clear of Galway United who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot.

This rescheduled fixture was moved to Sunday, after the impact of Storm Amy forced its postponement on Friday night.

After the international break, Derry City travel to Waterford, while Sligo go to Shelbourne, both games will be played on Friday, 17 October.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors with Jad Hakiki's effort from just inside the area flashing over the bar.

Tiernan Lynch's side grew into the game as the first half progressed, Hayden Cann coming close with a shot from distance.

Before Danny Mullen slipped Adam O'Reilly through in the area, O'Reilly looked set to score, but had his effort comfortably gathered by Sam Sargent, keeping the sides deadlocked at the break.

Early in the second half, a long ball from Brian Maher was expertly taken down by Duffy who carried the ball 40 yards before having his effort saved at the near post.

On the hour mark, it felt like it was going to be one of those evenings for Derry City. Duffy again was central in rounding Sargent and with the angle narrowing, he squared to Mullen who looked set to slot home into the empty net, denied only by a miraculous intervention from a Sligo defender.

In the final 10 minutes, Duffy, Cameron Dummigan and Brandon Fleming all came close to opening the scoring.

The drama wouldn't end there as Duffy headed home a cross from the right in the 94th minute to snatch all three points for his hometown club, marking the signing of a new contract midweek with a winning goal.