A Rory Patterson goal against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium tonight has kept Derry City’s hopes of securing an automatric European place very much alive.

Patterson (pictured), City’s leading goalscorer, headed home a Conor McDermott cross in the 36th minute to keep the Candy Stripes in third place in the Airtricity Premier Division..

Barry McNamee had a great chance to double the advantage in the 67th minute but he skied the ball over the bar after being found 12 yards out by Schubert.

The win sees Derry move five points clear of fourth-placed Rovers who have two games in hand.

Elsewhere tonight, Cork City remain a point ahead of Derry in second place following a 4-0 win over Bray Wanderers at Turners Cross while Dundalk thumped Crumlin United 5-0 to book quarter-final FAI Cup clash with UCD the week after next.

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