Late drama as Derry City's Michael Duffy denies Sligo at the death

A last-gasp Michael Duffy header secured a crucial three points for Derry City in their pursuit of European football next season, as they edged North-West rivals Sligo Rovers 1-0 in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division at the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Sunday afternoon.
In a refixture of Friday evening’s storm-hit game, it looked as though Derry’s dominance might go unrewarded. However, fresh off signing a three-year extension with his boyhood club, Duffy emerged in the final seconds to head home a deserved winner, capping off a magnificent performance on the wing.
Despite conditions being considerably improved from Friday evening, it was still far from ideal for a good game of football, with a gale-force wind causing havoc for both teams.
It was the visitors who settled into the game first, with Owen Elding causing early concern just after kickoff when his deflected effort forced Brian Maher to scramble on his goal line.
Derry had to wait until the 20th minute for their first real chance when Ronan Boyce whipped in a dangerous low cross to Danny Mullen, but the striker’s attempt to turn the ball home was snuffed out for a corner. Three minutes later, Jad Hakiki went close for the visitors when he flashed a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
In the 31st minute, Derry carved out their best chance of the half with Michael Duffy at the heart of it. Brandon Fleming found Duffy on the overlap on the left flank, and the winger powered into the Sligo box before squaring the ball to the onrushing Adam O’Reilly.
However, the former Preston North End man got under the ball and sent his effort skyward over the crossbar.
Six minutes later, Hayden Cann tried his luck from a distance, but his dipping strike was straight at Sam Sargeant. Moments later, Mullen picked up possession on the edge of the box and slipped O’Reilly through on goal with a deft through ball, but somehow his thundering close-range effort was once again denied by Sargeant, who parried the ball to safety.
In the second half the Candystripes seized complete control of the game with Duffy at the centre of everything positive. Five minutes after the restart, Duffy showed his quality, picking up the ball on the left flank, beating his man, and driving toward goal before unleashing a ferocious shot that was well parried by Sargeant once again.
Duffy was proving a constant menace on the left wing, and just two minutes later another driving run toward the by-line resulted in the ball falling to Ronan Boyce, but his effort was blasted well over the crossbar.
In the 55th minute, it was Duffy again who popped up with a spectacular effort from the edge of the box, but Sargeant proved his equal once more, producing a fine diving save to preserve his clean sheet.
On the hour mark, Duffy latched onto an over-the-top ball and cleverly flicked it over the onrushing Sargeant. Showing fantastic composure, he squared the ball to Mullen, but the Scot somehow missed the open goal from just six yards out.
In the 78th minute, Brandon Fleming went close after being slipped through by Duffy. He beat his man in the box and unleashed a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar. Ninety seconds later, the pair combined once again, with Duffy striking from the edge of the box, but his arrowed effort rose agonisingly over the bar.
Just when it looked like it wasn’t going to happen, Michael Duffy produced a heroic moment in the dying seconds.
Robbie Benson floated a cross in from the left wing, and Duffy managed to get a touch with his head. The ball bobbled past Sargeant, and the Branywell faithful erupted in celebration, sealing a deserved victory right at the death. 
The result keeps Derry firmly in control of their destiny in second place, nine points behind Shamrock Rovers and four ahead of Bohemians, although both sides have games in hand on the Candystripes, with just three rounds of fixtures remaining.
Next up for the Foylesiders is a long trip south to face relegation-threatened Waterford, while Sligo will host champions Shelbourne in a fortnight.

Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Hayden Cann (Gavin Whyte 57), Mark Connolly, Jamie Stott, Brandon Fleming; Carl Winchester (Robbie Benson 27), Sadou Diallo (Cameron Dummigan 79); Adam O'Reilly, Michael Duffy; Danny Mullen.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Edwin Agbaje (Conor Reynolds 86), Sebastian Quirk, Patrick McClean, Will Fitzgerald, Jad Hakiki, Cian Kavanagh (Sean Stewart HT), James McManus (Ciaron Harkin 65), Ryan O'Kane (Matthew Wolfe 86), Owen Elding, Gareth McElroy (Oliver Denham 65).

Referee: Mr Neil Doyle (Dublin).