Aaron Barry: first goal for Derry.
Derry came from behind to defeat Sligo Rovers in their Airtricity Premier Division clash at Brandywell.
Headed goals either side of half -time from defenders Ryan McBride and Aaron Barry – his first for the club – got City back to winning ways against Rovers who had to play the last 15 minutes of the game following the dismissal of defender Danny Ledwith.
And it could have been more, Patrick McEleney missing from the penalty spot.
The Candy Stripes had to come from behind to seal the win after Eamon Zayed had given the visitors the lead against the run of play.
Despite dominating the opening period, City fell behind when former Candy Stripe Eamon Zayed fired low passed Gerard Doherty midway through the first half.
McEleney had the chance to pull City level in the 35th minute but his well-hit penalty, awarded after he was fouled by Spillane, was brilliantly saved by keeper Brush.
However, City were level shortly before the break, McBride rising to head home a McEleney free kick.
Derry deservedly went in front in the 53rd minute when Barry took advantage for poor goalkeeping to plant a McEleney corner past Brush.
Ledwith was shown his second yellow card in the 77th following a late tackle on Dean Jarvis.
However, Gerard Doherty had to be at his best in the dying minutes to stop a Paul O’Connor header.
The win delighted manager Peter Hutton who was boosted by the return of striker Rory Patterson, who had been suffering from a back problem, last season’s leading goalscorer coming on as a 74th minute substitute, replacing Barry McNamee.
Derry City: Gerard Doherty, Shaun Kelly, Ryan McBride, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis, Philip Lowry, Barry Molloy, Barry McNamee (Rory Patterson 74), Patrick McEleney (Sean Houston 86), Mark Timlin (Michael Duffy 63), Stephen Dooley.
Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush, Danny Ledwith, Evan McMillan, Danny North, David Cawley, Raffaele Cretaro, Paul O’Connor, Kalen Spillane, Eamon Zayed (Gary Boylan 86), Iarfhlaith Davoren, Regan Donelan (Ruairi Keating 58).
Referee: David McKeon.
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