Derry substitute Liam Coyle scored the winning goal

Derry City have kept their place in the top flight of the Eircom League by beating Finn Harps in dramatic play-off final.

Veteran striker Liam Coyle was credited with the winning goal in a controversial ending to the North-West tussle.

After a goal-less first leg on Wednesday, it looked like Mark Farren's 13th minute goal in Satutrday's return at Brandywell proved decisive.

But Finn Harps equalised through a superb Kevin McHugh shots deep into stoppage time, just as Derry were preparing to celebrate Premier survival.

The Candystripes, who had never been relegated in their Eircom League history, looked to be struggling at that point.

But, four minutes into extra-time, Coyle got the ball from a quick free-kick and, as he went down under a challenge, the ball ran into the back of the net although Finn Harps defender Eloka Asokuh appeared to get in the final touch in attempting to make a clearance.

Harps protested the free had been taken from the wrong place and manager Noel King was sent from the touchline by Cork referee Alan Kelly.

In the second period of extra-time tempers flared and Finn Harps had centre-back Shane Bradley and scorer McHugh sent-off in separate incidents.

Bradley's dismissal followed a melee in the middle of the pitch in which more than a dozen players got involved.

Derry, who had not conceded a goal in five matches, deserved to be in front early on as they dominated the first half

Harps struggled to get into the game and their only sniff of a goal in the first period disappeared when Jonathan Minnock miscued the ball wide of the target.

Former Derry keeper Gary Ramsey made a couple of fine saves in the Harps goal as Derry looked for a second goal.

However, after half-time Harps looked more dangerous with Damien Whitehead's pace causing the Candystripes' defence problems.

But then Derry almost snatched a second when Ciaran Martyn's shot hit the bar.

Second later Finn Harps threatened an equaliser but Derry keeper Alan Gough dived to save Kevin McHugh's deft chip.

Derry were just seconds from victory in normal time when McHugh blasted in the equaliser.