Derry City suffer defeat by Waterford at Brandywell

Irish Premier Division Derry City 2 - 4 Waterford FT Derry City suffered an eighth Premier Division defeat of the season as they lost 4-2 to Waterford in Friday's league encounter at the Brandywell. Having defeated Drogheda on their return to their home stadium last week, this loss will again ramp up the pressure on manager Tiernan Lynch, whose side remain sixth in the table. Waterford move off the bottom, ahead of Sligo Rovers on goal difference, thanks to their second consecutive win. The visitors were rewarded for their early superiority when Conor Barr was penalised for handball in the area and Tommy Lonergan rifled the resultant spot-kick past Brian Maher in the Derry City goal on 13 minutes. The hosts went close to an equaliser when Adam O'Reilly's well-struck shot crashed off the bar, then at the other end home defender Brandon Fleming headed Padraig Amond's header off the line. O'Reilly was at the centre of the action again when he raced through on goal but Stephen McMullan saved well with his legs to deny the Candystripes player. Derry had the better of the early stages of the second period but found themselves two down when Lonergan drilled the ball low into the bottom corner after 69 minutes for his 12th of the season and his ninth in his last 10 games. Eight minutes later visiting skipper Amond slotted home his side's third from close range from a cross from Hayden Cann. Duffy saw an effort cannon off the bar as Derry tried to respond and soon after they pulled one back courtesy of Rob Slevin's downward header from a corner. Five minutes from time O'Reilly fired into the net after Cameron Dummigan's piledriver came off the post. As Derry pushed forward for an equaliser, they were caught out on the counter-attack, Jorgen Voilas having the simple task of guiding the ball into the empty net. Derry's attention now turns to the Uefa Conference League first qualifying round where they face CSKA Sofia over two legs in the next few weeks.