Bohemian Football Club Crest

@bfcdublin First-half goals by Gareth McGlynn and Eamon Zayed gave Bohemians a mountain to climb at the Brandywell on Friday, Brian Trench reports.

It could have easily have been different. Bohemians enjoyed passages of possession throughout the first half. On 12 minutes, Keith Buckley had a strong shot from the edge of the area blocked on the line.

Christy Fagan, Stephen Traynor and debutant Stephen Hurley (left) were linking up well. Indeed, Hurley, who signed for Bohs on an amateur contract this week, was the target for many clearances and kick-outs and looked impressive.

But Derry were often threatening on the break and forced five corners in the first quarter of the game. James McClean was particularly dangerous and on 29 minutes he drilled in a low cross from the left, which McGlynn squeezed under Barry Murphy from close range.

After that goal, Bohemians again continued to string passes together between midfield and forwards. Hurley played mostly on the left but occasionally moved into the centre and, on 42 minutes, he had a header that was dipping under the bar touched over.

Bohemians looked like they would go into the break just a goal behind and with all to play for. But on 45 minutes Derry worked the ball to Eamon Zayed mid-way into the Bohemians half.

Robert Bayly (above) and Glenn Cronin had been as industrious as ever in the centre of midfield but now Zayed found himself with space and time to shoot low and hard from 25 yards just inside Murphy's right post.

In the second half, Derry could afford to sit back more and their tall central defenders continued to frustrate a hard-working Fagan as he fought for openings.

Mark Rossiter tried a few runs through the midfield from defence, on one occasion working his way to the Derry penalty area but finding no target for his cross. 

Traynor, Fagan and Bayly continued to thread passes together. Christopher Forrester, who came on for Hurley with 25 minutes to go, threw himself into the game with gusto. But too often, the final Bohemians pass went astray or was snuffed out.

As the game wore on, Derry adopted more of a swagger and McClean and Zayed, their two most potent forces, combined to kill the game. On 83 minutes, McClean took the ball determinedly to the end-line, swung in a cross from the left and Zayed had an easy finish for Derry's third goal.

Bohemians continue to chase a consolation goal but there was no reward for their efforts.

Derry have now inflicted Bohemians' only defeats this season by more than a one-goal margin. Getting something from Monday's game away to Bray Wanderers now looks even more important.

Bohemians: Murphy; Heary, Burns, Price, Rossiter; Buckley (Fowler, 74 min), Bayly, Cronin, Hurley (Forrester, 65); Traynor, Fagan (Keely, 86). Subs not used: Dixon, Lopez, Feely, Sexton. Yellow cards: Burns.

Derry City: Doherty; Molloy (McCallion, 66), Greacen, Shane McEleney, Deery; McGlynn; Patrick McEleney (Harkin, 70), Higgins, Lafferty; Zayed (McDaid, 90+1), McClean. Subs not used: McBride, McLaughlin, Ferry, McCrudden. Yellow cards: Lafferty.