League of Ireland: Derry City 0-1 Shamrock Rovers

Dan Carr opened the scoring for Rovers from close range in the second half
Dan Carr scored the decisive goal for Rovers from close range in the second half

Derry City suffered their fourth consecutive Premier Division defeat at home when they lost 1-0 to Shamrock Rovers on Saturday.

Substitute Dan Carr won the match for Rovers when he tapped home at the back post in the 63rd minute.

Ally Roy, Ronan Hale and Aaron McEneff missed good chances for Derry, who have little to play for after being knocked out of the FAI Cup on Wednesday.

The result takes the Dubliners back up to third place in the league table.

The Candystripes remain seventh after what was a lacklustre performance overall, particularly in a first half in which they barely threatened the visitors' goal.

With qualification for Europe no longer possible, Kenny Shiels' side were unable to bounce back after they followed last Sunday's League Cup success by losing to Bohemians at the quarter-final stage of the FAI Cup on Wednesday.

Missed chances prove costly

After coming off the bench in the second half, Carr had only had a few touches of the ball before he pounced to score.

The home defence failed to pick him up from a cross and he found the net from close range to make it four wins in a row for Rovers, who regain the third position which they had lost after Waterford beat Sligo on Friday.

Despite a flat performance, Derry created good chances either side of the goal but were unable to capitalise.

The first came in the 55th minute when Ronan Hale released Ally Roy but he fired wide when through on goal for what would have been his eighth strike of the season.

Two minutes after Carr's goal, a McEneff cross found Hale but he opted to volley and was off target when well positioned.

The third opportunity fell to McEneff eight minutes from time but he lifted the ball over the crossbar with visiting goalkeeper Alan Mannus coming off his line to close him down.

It was a third defeat of the season against Rovers for Derry, who travel to Oriel Park to take on Dundalk in their next league game on Tuesday night.