Ryan Brennan penalty ends Derry City's six match unbeaten run in Drogheda

Derry City's six-match unbeaten run ended abruptly at Sullivan & Lambe Park as Ryan Brennan's second-half penalty proved decisive.

It's three games without a win for Tiernan Lynch's side who have managed only three clean sheets in 16 outings and a fifth loss of the season.

Jamie Stott fouled Warren Davis inside the Derry penalty area 10 minutes into the second half and referee Arnold Hunter pointed to the spot.

Up stepped the Drogheda skipper Brennan who fired confidently into the roof of the net.

Conor Barr was denied his first Derry goal by a smart save from Fynn Talley before Henry Rylah hit the underside of the crossbar from 30 yards with a stunning strike.

Derry, who started without a recognised striker, failed to break down Drogheda who moved level on 19 points.

Tiernan Lynch made five changes from the team that drew 1-1 against Galway at Celtic Park last Monday night.

Dos Santos, who scored that outstanding equaliser against the Tribesmen, earned his first start for the club as he began on the right wing.

Derry City skipper Duffy received his first start since the 2-2 draw against the Boynesiders at Brandywell back in March following his quad injury.

Adam O'Reilly returned from suspension and Conor Barr and Brandon Fleming came in as Lynch reverted to a back four.

Barry Cotter, Dipo Akinyemi, Ben Doherty, James Olayinka and Cameron Dummigan all dropped to the bench.

Lynch started with no recognised striker and deployed ex-Drogheda forward James Clarke as a false nine.

Kevin Doherty also rang the changes. Four in total with Thomas Oluwa, Shane Farrell, Ryan Brennan and Warren Davis returning to the starting line-up.

Just three points separated Drogheda in eighth and Derry in fifth prior to kick-off with the Co. Louth men having a game in hand over their northern counterparts.

Lynch has enjoyed only one win over Drogheda since taking over as City boss - a 3-0 drubbing at Brandywell last June when Sam Todd, Ronan Boyce and Danny Mullen scored the goals. Interestingly all three have since departed Brandywell.

In fact only Brian Maher, Duffy, Winchester, O'Reilly remain at the club from the 20 man squad named on that occasion. With the club advertising a new Head of Recruitment position ahead of this clash, there could well be plenty more comings and goings in the coming months.

Derry's first chance arrived in the 23rd minute when Drogheda failed to clear from Fleming's inswinging corner. McClean, with his back to goal, laid it into the path of Markey on the edge of the box and the ex-Drogs man's deflected effort went behind for another corner.

Five minutes later O'Reilly tried his luck from 30 yards but thumped his effort just wide of Talley's left hand post.

Drogheda's first dangerous attack arrived on the half hour mark when Davis brilliantly made his way towards the near post but his pass across the face of goal was cleared by Stott who was well positioned.

In the 38th minute, Shane Farrell cleared the ball off the line after McClean met Fleming's deep corner towards the back post with a looping header.

That was the best of the first half chances for either team as they went into the break scoreless.

Derry forced a double save from Talley in the 53rd minute, denying Conor Barr from close range after great work from Duffy.

It wa sa big opportunity for the 20 year-old who probably should have done better with his follow-up shot.

Straight up the other end Davis raced past Winchester and went down under Stott's challenge inside the box. Referee Arnold Hunter had no choice but to point to the penalty spot,

Up stepped club skipper Brennan who fired into the roof of the net to put the home side in front.

As Drogheda upped the ante, Brandon Kavanagh forced a smart save from Beach with a powerful 25-yard strike.

Lynch made a triple substitution with Akinyemi, Henry Rylah and Barry Cotter replacing Duffy, Markey and dos Santos.

Rylah came so close to an equaliser in the 87th minute when he turned his man and let fly with his right foot from 30 yards hitting the underside of the crossbar.

That was as close as Derry came as they fell to a frustrating loss. That's two points from three fixtures over the past seven days with a trip to Waterford to come.

Drogheda: Talley; Agbaje, Keeley, Bolger, Kane; Davis, Farrell, Brennan (Godden 72), Oluwa; Kavanagh (Quinn 88), Doyle (Bucknor 68).

Derry City: Beach; Barr (Dummigan 85), Stott, McClean, Fleming; dos Santos (Akinyemi 71) Winchester, O'Reilly (Thomas 91), Duffy (Rylah 71); Markey (Cotter 71); Clarke.

Referee - Arnodl Hunter.