Derry gained a huge boost in confidence for next week’s Europa League tie in Lithuania with victory over Cork City at the Brandywell last night.
Two goals in the space of two second half minutes turned this fixture in Derry’s favour, Declan Devine’s side now climbing into fourth spot in the table.
Cork, on the other hand, who made a 600 miles trip in just one day, left empty handed despite taking a third minute lead.
Kevin O’Connor floated the ball into the danger area where Cork debutant Connor Simpson challenged Peter Cherrie and Joseph Olowu poked home the loose ball.
Derry fought back and Ibrahim Meite nutmegged Cork captain Alan Bennett but his shot across goal crashed off the upright.
On the stroke of half-time Derry were denied again when Mark McNulty pulled off a superb full length save from Figueira’s curling effort.
However, in the 50th minute Ciaran Coll floated a ball in and when McNulty fumbled, Figueira’s shot was deflected into the net.
And two minutes later the home side moved into the driving seat when Meite’s effort was blocked into the path of Adam Hammill who drove it home from six yards.
In a frantic final five minutes Simpson got his head to a cross forcing Cherrie into a vital save.
Seconds later at the other end McNulty pulled off a superb save to deny Akintunde but the Derry man did stroke home the third goal in injury-time.
