MULLEN IT OVER

Danny has late final say to earn spirited win for Candystripes DERRY CITY ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

SIMON COLLINS

DANNY Mullen came off the bench to score a dramatic 92nd minute winner against St Patrick’s Athletic at the Brandywell to extend Derry City’s unbeaten start to the season.

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It was the first time since August 2020 that Derry have managed to come from behind to win a league match and it was the perfect tonic ahead of Monday’s heavyweight clash with the champions Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght.

The visitors settled quickest with a resolute back five keeping at bay a Derry side devoid of ideas in the final third.

Conor Keely played a ball over the top to Carl Axel Sjoberg who crossed dangerously into the six yard area but Cameron Mcjannet managed to get a vital touch to take it away from Ruairi Keating.

Daniel Kelly, making his first Derry start since his move from Dundalk did well to pick out Michael Duffy on the edge of the box but he miscued his strike and the chance was lost as the home side ended a scrappy first half in the ascendancy.

The Saints hit the front two minutes after the break as Ben Doherty got his backpass horribly wrong.

The left-back tried to find Brian Maher but found the feet of Keating who turned towards goal before driving the ball into the roof of the net past the

Derry keeper for his first competitive goal for the club.

In response Ruaidhri Higgins went to his bench and introduced Danny Mcmullan who made an instant impact.

The former Dundee winger raced down the right flank and stood the ball up at the back post for Pat Hoban whose header was deflected narrowly behind for a corner.

From Will Patching’s inswinging corner Hoban rose and guided his header into the corner of the net to restore parity on 65 minutes.

That injected life into the home support and St Pat’s were momentarily rattled.

It was the Inchicore men who threatened next, however, as the ball was worked into the feet of Chris Forrester but his strike was blocked brilliantly by the outstretched foot of Ronan Boyce.

The rebound fell to Luke Turner but his first time strike was arrowed over the crossbar with five minutes left on the clock.

There was time enough for Derry to find a late winner and it was substitute Mullen who started the move and applied the finish.

The Scotsman swivelled in midfield and sent Duffy scampering down the wing. The winger crossed into the area and Mullen fired the ball into the back of the net as Derry clinched a precious victory.