Stephen Kenny was unhappy with the awarding of the first-half penalty

Derry City's hopes of playing European football next year suffered a major blow as they were beaten by Cork City at Turner's Cross on Tuesday night.

Cork move above Derry into third in the table which leaves Paul Doolin's side in the last European spot.

Faz Kuduzovic put Cork ahead from a penalty on 19 minutes after James McClean was adjudged to have fouled Guntar Silagailis.

Ex-Derry player Billy Dennehy tapped in Cork's second goal five minutes later.

Derry manager Stephen Kenny was furious with referee Ritchie Winter's decision to award the penalty.

But McClean's challenge on Silagailis at best could be described as clumsy and it was needless as the Cork man was not in an especially threatening position.

The Derry manager remonstrated with the referee at half-time but he surely will have had even sterner words for his admittedly understrength side after a lacklustre first-half display.

Tam McManus fired wide after six minutes following a bright opening by the visitors but they lost their way badly after Cork's opening goal.

Dennehy doubled Cork's lead on 24 minutes after Kuduzovic was allowed to ghost into a dangerous position and tee up the chance for the unmarked ex-Candystripe.

McManus had two decent chances to get Derry back into the game before the break but he failed to hit the target.

David Scullion squandered another Derry opportunity after the break while ex-Cork player Liam Kearney also went close for the visitors.

However, Kuduzovic and David O'Neill wasted great chances to extend Cork's lead as Derry started to chase the game.

Mark Farren saw an angled shot hit the woodwork but despite second-half huff and puff, Derry never really threatened to get back into the game.

Cork's win moves them two points ahead of Derry with six rounds of games left in the league.

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