Gavin Dykes is hoping to sign a number of players before Christmas

Victorious Derry City boss Gavin Dykes couldn't resist a verbal swipe at Finn Harps manager Noel King after Saturday's tense Eircom League promotion-relegation play-off.

The Candystripes' 2-1 win after extra-time in the second leg at the Brandywell ensured that they will remain in the Premier Division for another season and consigned Harps to a further year of First Division football.

Harps finished the match with nine men and Dykes suggested that King's pre-match "mind games" had inflamed a north-west occasion which was already guaranteed to be a tense affair.

Before the second leg, King claimed that it was "destiny" that Derry were going to be relegated.

After his side's win, Dykes felt entitled to use a spot of parody.

"Maybe it was destiny," said the Derry boss.

"There were a lot of things said during the week that weren't nice.

"Maybe we as managers say things in the papers sometimes to try and cause controversy and to try and play mind games and it's silly.

"Sometimes that goes out onto a football pitch and fellows get sent off.

I've already talked to a lot of players and I guaranteed them that we'd definitely be in the Premier Division Gavin Dykes

"It's niggling always in the back of people's minds but I don't go in for that carry on".

Dykes contrasted the "discipline" shown by his players to that of the Finn Harps side.

"I'm very proud of my players. They kept their shape and didn't get involved in any of the carry on".

Dykes revealed that he had already started work on strengthening the Derry squad for next season.

"I've talked to a lot of players before the play-off and I guaranteed them that we'd definitely be in the Premier Division.

"Hopefully now they will be honourable and I'll have them signed before Christmas".

Despite his thinly-veiled criticism of Noel King, Dykes admitted to sympathy for a Harps club who have failed at the play-off stage in the last three seasons.

"I'm sorry for Harps and the league needs Finn Harps.