Patterson has the final say as Candystripes show their resilience

DERRY City came from behind to win the Easter Monday derby at Finn Harps, with second-half substitute Rory Patterson grabbing the winner.

Just over 900 fans braved the Baltic conditions at Finn Park and they were treated to a hardfought derby which was more about determination and discipline than entertainment and free-flowing football.

The game started in the perfect manner for Finn Harps, who opened the scoring with just 11 minutes on the clock.

Former Derry player Mark Timlin had a hand in the goal as his cross from the right found Ciaran Coll in an advanced area, and the defender was allowed to turn and fire past Gerard Doherty and into the net.

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Candystripes levelled before the half-hour mark.

Referee John McLaughlin pointed to the penalty spot after Mark Hannon clipped the heels of Aaron McEneff just inside the area.

The decision infuriated Harps but that did not distract McEneff, who slammed in his fourth goal in four games.

McEneff had a great chance to give Derry the lead on the hour mark when he latched onto a pass from Ronan Curtis, but his shot was blocked at the near post by goalkeeper Peter Burke, who reacted very well indeed.

But there was little that the Harps goalkeeper could do as Derry took the lead for the first time in the game on 63 minutes when Patterson — on the field just a matter of moments — hooked a left-footed shot past Burke after a fine cross from Curtis.

Harps did their best to get back into the game but it was Derry who looked more likely to score in the closing stages, with Ronan Hale and Curtis both going close.

McEneff even had the ball in the net in added time at the end of the game but his effort was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.

It is now four successive wins in all competitions for the Candystripes, who now travel to Sligo Rovers on Saturday.

Finn Harps: P Burke, A Friel, C Coll, K Cowan, J Devers, T McBride, M Timlin (L Toland 56), M Coyle, Hannon (R Duffy 68), S Todd, M O’Connor (J O’Flynn HT).

Derry City: G Doherty, C McDermott, D Cole, E Toal, J Doyle; N Low, Rory Hale, A McEneff; D Hopkirk (R Patterson 60), R Curtis, Ronan Hale (J McDonagh 80’). Referee: John McLaughlin.

Ball rolling: Aaron McEneff hit the equaliser for Derry City