Kevin Deery put Derry ahead in the opening minute

Derry City endured a few nervous moments before overcoming minnows Liffeys Pearse in Friday's FAI Ford Cup tie at the Brandywell.

An avalanche of goals seemed possible when Kevin Deery put the Candystripes ahead after only one minute.

However, Conor Sammon and Mark McChrystal should have extended Derry's lead and James Bradshaw then missed a glorious opportunity for the visitors.

Derry struggled in the second half before Mark Farren's late goal.

Deery's opener came after he had been played in by Sammon.

Former UCD player Sammon then squandered a glorious chance to hit a second Derry goal when his weak pointblank effort was blocked by the Dubliners' goalkeeper.

Mark McChrystal then headed another chance wide for Derry but the home side went into their shell during the remainder of the opening period.

Liffeys Pearse should have levelled a minute before the break when Bradshaw blasted over from close range.

Derry were unable to pick up the pace during the second half.

However, Farren made the game safe when he struck the second goal with eight minutes of normal time remaining.