Owen Morrison scored another spectacular free-kick for Derry

Two goals from Owen Morrison helped Derry City beat Finn Harps and moved the Candystripes to only four points off the top of the Eircom League.

Bohemians now head the table after beating St Pat's 1-0 at Inchicore.

Derry had to hold off a battling Harps in Ballybofey with Stephen Parkhouse missing a great chance as the home side shaded the first half.

But Derry took control and Morrison's superb 76th-minute free kick was quickly followed by his second goal.

Former Harps man Kevin McHugh wasted a great early chance for Derry as he headed a Gareth McGlynn cross wide from pointblank range.

But Harps, boosted by a three-game unbeaten run, gave Derry plenty of trouble in the opening 45 minutes.

Former Derry striker Parkhouse should have put the Donegal club ahead on 34 minutes but he blazed over after goalkeeper Gerard Doherty had dropped a cross.

Harps continued to more than hold their own after the break but Derry began to take control of the game midway through the second period.

It was no great surprise that Derry took the lead on 76 minutes although Morrison's goal was another stunning strike by the former Sheffield Wednesday man.

His free kick was a carbon copy of his strike in Friday's 4-1 victory over UCD at the Brandywell.

Morrison sealed Derry's victory three minutes later when he blasted home after Mark Farren had nodded down another McGlynn cross.