Conor Clifford on the double from the spot as Derry get back to winning ways

CONOR CLIFFORD netted twice from the penalty spot against Waterford at Brandywell as Derry City clinched a first win in five attempts.

The Candystripes were awarded penalties either side of half-time as man of the match, Walter Figueira was fouled twice inside the box.

And Clifford, starting his first match since July 31st, cooly converted both to hand the home side a much needed win.

It was a first league victory since a 3-1 win over Cork on August 21st and three points which sent Declan Devine's men into sixth spot and derailed the Blues' advance towards Europe.

It was Derry's third game in the space of seven days and Devine made sweeping changes from the 1-0 defeat to Sligo on Tuesday night. There were five in total with Ciaron Harkin, Ibrahim Meite, Stephen Mallon, Colm Horgan and Conor Clifford all returning to the starting line-up and they didn't disappoint.

Meite was involved in Derry's first opening on seven minutes when he dispossessed Olunatunmise Sobowale who was caught trying to play it out from the back.

The City striker drilled it low towards the six yard box with Conor McCormack lurking but it evaded everyone and the chance was lost.

The Blues came close to hitting the target with a free header from Tyreke Wilson's corner but Robbie McCourt headed wide on 15 minutes.

Figueira's promising run through the middle was brought to a halt when he was fouled on the edge of the box on 38 minutes.

Conor Clifford, starting his first game since sustaining a broken nose in Derry's Europa League qualifier in Vilnius on August 25th, tried his luck with a curling free-kick which needed to be parried away at full stretch by Brian Murphy.

Clifford played a searching ball over the top of the Waterford and when Figueira latched onto it just inside the penalty area he went to ground after a push on the back by Sobowale.

Referee Rob Hennessy pointed to the spot immediately and Clifford stepped up to tuck the spot-kick into the net confidently in the final minute of the half.

Murphy produced three excellent saves in the space of 60 seconds to deny Derry a second at the start of the second half.

Mallon crossed low into the six yard box and Meite's close range strike hit the chest of Murphy who stood tall. Eoin Toal followed up but his shot from two yards was again blocked by Murphy.

The ball came to Figueira just outside the 18 yard box and Murphy acrobatically tipped it over the crossbar.

Derry maintained the pressure and when Figueira latched onto the ball 10 yards from goal McCourt crashed into the ex-Blues man and the referee awarded a penalty.

There was no doubt about this decision and Clifford's Panenka-style spot kick nestled into the net to double Derry's lead on 58 minutes.

Figueira played a neat ball into Harkin on 75 minutes but his side-footed effort from 16 yards went narrowly over the crossbar.

It was a professional display from the home side and three very welcome points as they must wait 14 days until their next league fixture against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght.

Derry City: P. Cherrie: C. Horgan, E. Toal, C. McJannett, C. Coll; S. Mallon, C. McCormack (J. Malone 86) , C. Harkin, C. Clifford, W. Figueira; I. Meite (J. Akintunde 70): Subs Not Used - N. Gartside, A. Hammill, J. Dunwoody, D. Cole, M. McChrystal.

Waterford: B. Murphy: Q. Sobowale (K. Byrne 59), J. Davidson, R. McCourt, T. Wilson (Darragh Power 53); W. Fitzgerald (S. Griffin 59), R. Weir, N. O'Keeffe (D. Walsh 84), A. Coote; J. Martin, M. Smith: Subs Not Used - T. Ryan, W. Longbottom.

Referee - Robert Hennessy.