Derry City suffer away day Blues as stunning Shane Griffin strike wins it for Waterford

DERRY CITY slumped to a second away defeat of the season after a spectacular 95th minute strike by Waterford substitute, Shane Griffin at the Regional Sports Centre.

That 25 yard strike which sailed past Peter Cherrie was the last action of the match and handed Waterford a first home win of the campaign.

Stephen Mallon had gave the visitors a 32nd minute lead after a brilliant finish at the near post.

However, Waterford clawed their way back on the stroke of half-time with a thunderous strike into the top corner from Sam Bone.

The Blues finished strongly and when Conor McCormack charged down Michael O'Connor's shot and when the ball fell to Griffin, he took a touch before curling past Cherrie.

It was a disappointing night for Devine's troops who failed to get into their stride but the City boss will be annoyed at the timing of both goals as they still await their first points on the road.

Devine made two changes from last week's big win over Bohs, one enforced as Mark McChrystal came in for a rare start to replace Ally Gilchrist who continues to recovery from concussion sustained during that 2-0 victory over the Gypsies. Midfielder, Conor Clifford also made way for vice captain, Ciaron Harkin who made such a positive impact off the bench last weekend. Ciaran Coll missed out once again through injury (knee).

Waterford boss, Alan Reynolds sprung a surprise as he deployed centre forward Graham Cummings at centre half with defensive midfielder Robert McCourt his partner at the heart of the Blues defence.

Derry failed to win on two occasions at the venue last season but went into this one with their tails up seeking back-to-back league wins.

However, it was Waterford., coming off the back of successive home defeats who began confidently and they had Derry on the backfoot during the opening 10 minutes.

Derry soaked up the early pressure with Kevin O'Connor sending a promising free-kick from the edge of the box harmlessly over the bar on five minutes.

Derry began to get togrips after 15 minutes but a promising attack was brought to an end by Akin Odimnayo who dispossessed Harkin. Linfield loanee, Michael O'Connor picked up the pass and set Matthew Smith into space with a superb crossfield pass but Colm Horgan did brilliantly to take it off the toe of the Waterford attacker and put it out for a corner.

Former Blues forward, Figueira came so close to breaking the deadlock on 23 minutes as Mallon found the feet of the former Chelsea man 10 yards from goal. With his back to goal he showed quick feet to turn his man and from a tight angle sent his shot across the face of goal and narrowly wide.

He really should've found the net but it was encouraging for the Candy Stripes.

Waterford striker, Michael O'Connor was proving a nuisance for the Derry defence and he cut inside from the left and drilled his shot low into the hands of Peter Cherrie who made his first save of the night on 29 minutes.

Derry stunned the home crowd on 32 minutes when Mallon latched onto a short free-kick from Jamie McDonagh and showed lovely skill to weave his way past the Blues defence and slotted into the far corner from Brian Murphy's near post.

The home side finished the half strongly and Derry struggled to clear a corner kick. When the ball broke to ex-Shamrock Rovers man, Bone he drilled the ball into the top corner of the net with a stunning strike from just inside the penalty area to level the game going into the interval.

John Martin went on a mazy run inside the Derry penalty area two minutes after the break, slotting it through the legs of Conor McCormack but he was crowded out before he managed to get a shot on goal.

McCormack brought down Michael O'Connor on the edge of the Derry penalty area and from the resultant free-kick Kevin O'Connor's curling effort had to be tipped behind by Cherrie at full stretch.

Devine turned to his bench just after the hour mark as he looked to gain a foothold in midfield, bringing on Jack Malone for Figueira who received a generous round of applause from the Waterford support,

Six minutes later Adam Liddle replaced Nilsen who had a disappointing night leading the Derry line and the Norwegian vented his frustration as he thumped the side of the Derry dugout.

Derry survived a real scare on 79 minutes when Kevin O'Connor crossed dangerously and his namesake, Michael O'Connor rose well and his powerful downward header bounced narrowly wide from 10 yards,.

O'Connor again came close with a header as he peeled off his man and met Shane Griffin's corner towards the near post but it went behind for a goalkick.

Waterford finished strongly as they went in search of their first home win of the season and they had four minutes of stoppage time to find a winner.

In the third minute of added time Reading loanee, Odimayo found himself in behind the Derry defence but he was denied by the legs of the outrushing Cherrie to earn the visitors a point.

Sub, Griffin then found the back of the net for the Blues with an outstanding curling strike from 25 yards in the dying seconds to send the home support into raptures.

Waterford: B. Murphy; T. Wilson, G. Cummings, R. McCourt, K. O'Connor; A. Coote (W. Longbottom 75), A. Odimayo, S. Bone. J. Martin (S. Griffin 75), M. O'Connor, , M. Smith; Subs Not Used - T. Ryan, S. Allardice, D. Walsh, D. Power, W. Fitzgerald.

Derry City: P. Cherrie; C. Horgan, E. Toal, D. Lupano, M. McChrystal, J. McDonagh (C. Clifford 74), C. Harkin, C. McCormack, S. Mallon; W. Figueira (J. Malone 63); T. Nilsen (A. Liddle 69); Subs Not Used - N. Gartside, R. Boyce, M. Bakayoko, O. McLaughlin.

Referee - Sean Grant.

Att: 1,524

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Simon Collins