Michael Duffy laments 'same old story' for Derry City as players are 'fighting for their places'

​It was a case of déjà vu for the Candy Stripes as their struggles in front of goal continued despite dominating possession at O'Sullivan and Lambe Park where a 55th-minute Ryan Brennan penalty proved decisive.

That familiar story risks unfolding into a nightmare for Tiernan Lynch's troops who have fallen 15 points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers.

Duffy has often been Derry's saviour and while he currently leads the Brandywell club's scoring charts with five goals from 11 appearances, he couldn't rescue them in Drogheda.

"We came down here and had all the ball and Drogheda is happy enough with that," he said. "They're a counter attacking team. You need to create chances and take them. You need to go 1-0 up in these games.

"They break, get a penalty and suddenly you're 1-0 down and have a mountain to climb. They sit in and make it even harder. It's the same old story. We've been in this position so many times against these teams and we need to fix that.

"I felt we deserved to come out of here with something even though we didn't create a lot of clear-cut chances but either did they.

"We dominated the ball, especially the first half, without creating. So on that side of things it was a bit better from us - we played some good football at times but in the final third it just wasn't good enough.

"We need to work on that big time for next week so it was a frustrating night overall. Players will be fighting for positions because after a loss like that no one's position is safe."

Last year's PFAI Player of the Year was handed his first start since March 20th and was clearly unhappy to be called ashore on 71 minutes while Derry was still trailing from that second half penalty.

It's been frustrating to hold back after five weeks on the sidelines as Tiernan Lynch takes no risks with his star man's squad injury but Duffy was desperate to avoid another poor result and an alarming run of form for the Brandywell men.

The two-time title winner with Dundalk insists Derry must address its shortcomings before Friday's trip to the RSC.

"That's 100 per cent a must-win," he agreed. "We will go back look at this game and take the positives from it. We played with a lot more freedom and bravery in the first half and I think we need to do that.

"We will build on that. We go down, be brave and try to create more chances next week and try to score goals. That's what we need to do. That's what we're lacking."

Lynch reverted to four at the back with James Clarke acting as a false nine and Duffy felt that new formation was working a charm in the early stages of the match.

"I thought that formation worked well tonight, especially in the first half. We played some great football at times, but it's just that final bit and we, as attackers, need to have a bit more composure and do a bit better."

After a lengthy spell on the sidelines it's only natural he hasn't yet returned to the form that earned him the February Player of the Month award. The ex-Celtic man is hoping he's back involved in the goals soon.

"I'm delighted to be back. I'm feeling a bit better with the minutes I'm getting but I still need to get that wee bit of sharpness back so I'll train all this week and look forward to Friday and try and put it right and try get back involved in the goals for the team."

When asked about his reaction to being subbed off on 71 minutes, Duffy admitted it was 'frustrating' but he understood the manager's decision.

"I was tiring a bit to be fair at the end but it's still frustrating coming off. I understand it from his side. I'm only back and I was out for four or five weeks so I do get it.

"But at the time of course you're going to be frustrated. I still feel like there was a chance in me or I might have created something but I understand his decision."