A bad night for St Patrick's Athletic at the Brandywell as the Saints great run came to an abrupt end at the hands of in-form Derry City.
With an unbeaten home record the Northern club have now gone seven games without defeat.
Derry scored first in the 26th minute when midfielder Gareth McGlynn was played in by veteran Liam Coyle. The 18-year-old Donegal man guided the ball beyond the reach of the advancing keeper, Seamus Kelly.
Derry went two up in the 62 minute as Darren Kelly smacked a low shot into the net.
The game was over as a contest in the 76th minute, when, following a deep cross from Eamonn Doherty, the ball was headed back across the face of goal and sub Jamie Hughes had the easiest of tasks to head home from close range.
The Saints as ever, battled to the death and they earned a consolation goal for their efforts when striker Liam Kelly gave Derry keeper Russell Payne no chance when hammering the ball home from 16 yards in the 85th minute.
DERRY CITY: Payne; McLaughlin, E McCallion, D Kelly, Hargan; McGlynn, T McCallion, Doherty, Beckett; Coyle, Moran. Subs: Hughes, for Moran (64 mins); McReady for Coyle (85 mins).
ST PATRICKS ATHLETIC: S Kelly; Croly, Maguire, Foley, Donnelly; Marney, Osam, Russell; Livingstone, L Kelly, Doyle. Subs: Holt for Doyle (52 mins); McGuinness for Livingstone and Griffin for Russell (both 80 mins).
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin)
