McLaughlin gets City off to winning start

The former Finn Harps man got on the end of Simon Madden's 48 minute cross to score his third goal in as many games.

Played at a packed Brandywell, the home side went close after just four minutes but David McDaid's stinging drive was pushed away by Bohs keeper Craig Sexton.

Soon after Stewart Greacen was unlucky not to break the deadlock, but his diving header flashed just wide.

The much talked about Patrick McEleney should have done better on 39 minutes, but his looping header, which had beaten the stranded Sexton, sailed just wide.

On the stroke of half-time the Dubliners were reduced to ten men right when Adam Martin's two footed tackle on McLaughlin, saw him receive a straight red card from referee Neil Doyle.

The ten men fell a goal behind early in the second half when Madden's right wing centre found McLaughlin, who out-jumped Derek Pender and powerfully headed home.

Minutes later Aaron Callaghan's side missed a super opportunity to level things when Dinny Corcoran's close range shot was kept out by Gerard Doherty's right boot.

With eight minutes remaining McLaughlin should have done better when he latched onto Ruaidhri Higgins' pass but from a tight angle the winger blasted over.

Derry City: Doherty, Madden, S McEleney, Greacen, McCaffrey, P McEleney, Molloy, Higgins, McLaughlin; McDaid, Patterson. Subs: Farren for McDaid (71).

Bohemians: Sexton, Heary, Pender, McMillen, Moore, Byrne, McMahon, Corcoran, Martin, Joyce. Subs: Lopez for Ward (44); O'Connor for Byrne (53); Wilson for Joyce (68).

Referee: Mr Neil Doyle (Dublin).