Kevin Deery scored Derry's only goal of the game

Shane Barrett opened the scoring for the home side on 10 minutes and added his second after 28 minutes.

Kevin Deery pulled one back a minute after the interval for the Candystripes but Barrett secured the points with an 88th minute goal for his hat-trick.

Shelbourne won 2-0 at Sligo Rovers to edge closer to the championship title.

Both sides have three games remaining with Stephen Kenny's side travelling to St Patrick's Athletic for their next fixture on Friday night.

Barrett curled a superb shot past David Forde for the opener and then beat the Derry keeper with an effort from a tight angle which came off the far post.

Deery's strike came after some good build up play by McCourt but proved to be just a consolation.

After the game Derry skipper Peter Hutton said his side were "very disappointed" to play so poorly.

"We didn't perform anywhere near the standards that we have set ourselves this season and that is disappointing at this stage of the season.

"Drogheda totally outplayed us, especially in the first half, and we really let ourselves down.

"We must rally ourselves and get our heads up now and prepare for a difficult match on Friday.