Sean Hargan's first half goal earned Derry City a vital win which boosted the club's chances of earning a place in the Eircom League promotion-relegation play-offs.

Gavin Dykes' side take on Waterford on Sunday

Gavin Dykes' side had started Tuesday's match in bottom place in the Premier Division and on course for automatic relegation.

However, the victory moves Derry into the play-off spot, two points ahead of UCD and a win in Waterford on Sunday will ensure that the Candystripes avoid the guaranteed drop.

If they do make the play-offs, they will compete over two legs against the fourth placed club in the Division One with the winners taking on the victors from the other semi-final between the second and third finishers in Division One, home and away.

While Bohemians had their moments, particularly at the start and right at the death, Derry looked the hungrier side during the majority of the game.

Derry received a boost before the game when Peter Hutton unexpectedly declared himself fit to play.

The veteran went on to produce a superb game in central defence.

After Hargan's 17th minute goal, Bohs didn't threaten until the closing minutes when Jason McGuinness missed a glorious chance to level for the Dubliners.

The league runners-up almost took the lead in the opening seconds when former Finn Harps man Fergal Harkin hit the post after sprinting clear of a static Derry defence.

Derry looked nervous early on and the goal came something against the run of play with Hargan hammering a superb snapshot to the net from 18 yards after Eddie McCallion had produced a dangerous cross.

Sean Hargan scored Derry's crucial goal

With Derry growing in confidence, they controlled the remainder of the first half.

Gareth McGlynn burst into the Bohs penalty area in the 20th minute but he shot directly at goalkeeper Seamus Kelly.

Gary Beckett had two other half-chances before the interval but the danger was averted on both occasions.

The third quarter saw something of a lull in proceedings with Derry looking comfortable and Bohs seeming to go through the motions.

Bohs manager Stephen Kenny introduced international striker Glenn Crowe in the 66th minute and seconds later Ciaran Martyn had to make a vital block to prevent a David Morrison effort from levelling.

Beckett almost added to Derry's lead in the 75th minute with a superb shot which Kelly did well to divert onto the woodwork.

Bohs best chance to level came two minutes from time when Jason McGuinness seemed certain to head into an empty net but the centre-back somehow nodded the effort wide.

Derry continued to live on their nerves in injury-time and Kevin Hunt had a half-chance but he headed across the face of goal.