Clive Delaney is now getting reader for the CSKA Sofia game on Thursday

Derry City defender Clive Delaney rued the concession of "two poor goals" in Sunday's latest League of Ireland defeat by Shamrock Rovers.

Derry are now 11 points off the League of Ireland pace with their title ambitions left in tatters.

"It was disappointing to lose and to concede two goals like that so early in the game," said Delaney.

"We responded well at 2-0 down and we got the goal in the second half but just couldn't get the equaliser."

Delaney added:"We were the better side in the second half but while we created a lot of chances after we got the goal back, we just couldn't get on terms."

The Derry centre-back was convinced, like all his team-mates in Tallaght, that the Candystripes should have been awarded a penalty when the score was 1-0.

"Things like that really change the game but that doesn't really give us an excuse for conceding the second goal.

"They were both poor goals. The first one was a throw-in. We had plenty of bodies in there and I don't know how he managed to get a shot away.

"With the second one, they got the cross in easily and the guy was on his own in the box."

But Delaney did take crumbs of comfort for Derry's improved second-half display in Tallaght.

"I don't the players accepted defeat at any stage.

"If we keep on working like that and keep that mentality, it will change for us."

Delaney and his Derry's colleagues are now preparing for Thursday's Europa League second leg against CSKA Sofia when the Bulgarians will take a 1-0 lead to the Brandywell.

"CSKA are a step up from the League of Ireland but we did well to keep our discipline and our shape in Sofia.

"We managed to create chances away from home. Realistically, we should be able to do that at home as well."

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