Gavin Dykes saw his Derry City side snatch a late victory

Gavin Dykes has at last celebrated victory as manager of Eircom League strugglers Derry City.

Dykes, who took over after Dermot Keely's brief tenure ended in late September, had seen his side draw three games and lose one.

But they won for the first time since mid-June thanks to a late goal from Peter Hutton at Flancare Park.

Derry, in danger of dropping down to the First Division, had been hoping to catch Longford with one eye on Sunday's FAI Cup final when they play St Pat's Athletic.

But it was Town, with two wins and a draw against the Candystripes this season, who looked the more threatening in the early stages.

Longford could have been two up inside 20 minutes but midfielder Philip Keogh was off target with a 12-yard shot and central defender Barry Ferguson headed a 17th minute corner just over the top of Alan Gough's goal.

Derry striker Michael Holt sparked a renewed team effort with a rising drive on 22 minutes.

Then Gareth McGlynn crossed for Holt to head wide just after the half hour mark before Eamon Doherty saw his shot from outside the area deflected wide by Longford's Darragh Sheridan.

The second half was mostly a drab affair, the only highlight being a Shane Barrett shot which shaved the Derry crossbar on 67 minutes.

But then Hutton scored on 88 minutes to give Derry their first league win since a 2-0 win over Shelbourne on 12 June.

The Derry man flicked home following a Ciaran Martyn cross which had been deflected into his path. The goal was enough to take City above Drogheda United and they are now two places off the bottom.