Eddie McCallion battles for possession with Mark Quigley

Derry City missed out on a chance to go second in the Premier Division when they lost to St Pat's Athletic.

Mark Quigley scored a second-half hat-trick to send St Pat's to within two points of leaders Bohemians.

The first came in the 52nd minute when Keith Fahey found Glenn Fitzpatrick whose cross was bundled in by Quigley.

Quigley scored again five minutes from time when he punished a mistake by home keeper Gerard Doherty and he then added a third from a Ryan Guy pass.

St Pat's move to within two points of Bohemians but have played two more.

The result will be a major blow to the Candystripes who had beaten St Pat's twice earlier in the season.

They enjoyed a 1-0 win in the league on 4 April, followed three days later by a 2-0 success in the Setanta Cup at the Brandywell.

Derry slip a place to fourth in the league table as Cork City are now above them on goal difference, both clubs seven points behind the pacesetters.

Derry are in action again on Tuesday 1 July when they entertain Bohemians in the quarter-finals of the Eircom League Cup.

After the game, Derry boss Stephen Kenny said his team had "got what they deserved" from the game.

"It was a poor performance. We didn't play well, didn't pass the ball well and gave the ball away ridiculously cheaply. We committed poor errors for the goals.

"It was a very poor result and we have to improve.

"We must put that display behind us and prepare for two tough matches this week, against Bohemians and Sligo," added Kenny.