Johnny Kenny rediscovered his goal touch to reignite Shamrock Rovers' drive for five as they beat putative chief title rivals Derry City for the second time this season.
The win, Rovers first in five games and second in eight since their 3-1 victory at the Ryan McBride Brandywell a month ago, closes the gap on second-placed Derry to two points.
Following Shelbourne’s late winner at St Patrick’s Athletic, Rovers remain six points off the Damien Duff’s leaders who visit Tallaght Stadium on Friday.
Though Derry, missing suspended top scorer Patrick Hoban, started on the front foot, with Michael Duffy getting a sight of goal, if only the ball would have dropped more kindly for him, Rovers should have been ahead from their first attack on two minutes.
Cameron McJannet failed to deal with Dan Cleary’s long clearance.
Kenny cleverly outfoxed the Derry captain to then skip a little too easily past Shane McEleney.
And though he rounded Brian Maher in the City goal, Adam O’Reilly tracked back brilliantly to clear Kenny’s effort off the line for the first corner of the night.
Kenny, though, wasn’t to be denied as Hoops took the lead with a terrific team goal on seven minutes.
Skipper Roberto Lopes, Darragh Nugent and Markus Poom worked the ball forward from the back.
Kenny laid it off to Graham Burke whose ferocious left-foot shot Brian Maher could only clumsily chest away.
And straight to Kenny who showed superb composure to rifle home first time from 12 yards.
Though he hadn't scored in Hoops previous two games, it was the Celtic loanee's fifth strike in seven and seventh in total for the season.
The bright start to the game was maintained as Derry looked to hit straight back with efforts from O’Reilly and Will Patching off target.
In end-to-end action, Rovers should have then doubled their lead following another fine counterattack on 19 minutes.
Referee Damien MacGraith played an advantage when Trevor Clarke was clearly fouled by Ronan Boyce.
The ball ran for Kenny who raced into the box before being tripped by McJannet to concede a penalty.
Somewhat bizarrely, the Derry skipper didn’t even receive a yellow card for the challenge.
And there was a further let off for Derry when Burke’s all too casual spot kick was turned around a post by Maher diving to his right.
The game remained open, Cameron Dummigan curling a promising effort just wide on 34 minutes as Derry searched for an equaliser.
Their sloppy defending continued to offer up chances at the other end, however.
Hoops winger Neil Farrugia charged down an attempted clearance by Ciaran Coll. The deflection put Kenny in on goal, his shot desperately blocked by the retreating McEleney.
Derry manager Ruaidhri Higgins made a change in defence and midfield for the second half with Sam Todd and club skipper Patrick McEleney introduced.
It initially brought Derry a little more impetus as Boyce drilled wide within four, though in truth they struggled to worry Leon Pohls in the Rovers goal.
And they lived dangerously at the back once again on 61 minutes.
Jack Byrne, a first half sub for the injured Sean Kavanagh, put Burke through on goal with a sublime pass.
Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Josh Honohan; Neil Farrugia, Markus Poom, Sean Kavanagh (Jack Byrne 36), Darragh Nugent, Trevor Clarke; Graham Burke (Aaron McEneff 68); Johnny Kenny (Aaron Greene 68).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Shane McEleney, Cameron McJannet, Ciaran Coll (Sam Todd h-t); Ronan Boyce (Sadou Diallo 72), Cameron Dummigan (Patrick McEleney h-t), Adam O’Reilly, Michael Duffy; Paul McMullan, Will Patching (Sean Patton 83); Danny Mullen (Daniel Kelly 72).
Referee: Damien MacGraith (Mayo).
Attendance: 4,031.
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