Derry City sit fifth in the Premier Division after a 2-1 victory over Dundalk in their final home game of the season at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

James Clarke opened the scoring in the first half before Michael Duffy continued his outstanding form with his 11th goal in 11 games to double Derry's advantage.

Shane Tracy's superb strike set up a tense finale, but the Candystripes held on to make it back-to-back wins ahead of their final league fixture away to already-relegated Sligo Rovers next Friday.

With the FAI Cup final against Waterford on 8 November to come, Derry will hope to carry their recent form into the decider as they look to finish the season with silverware.

Dundalk started brightly in the early exchanges, but Derry gradually found their feet and took the lead in the 12th minute.

Clarke forced a turnover inside the Dundalk penalty area before battling his way through a crowded box to get a shot away.

The Lilywhites recovered possession, with the ball falling to Ellis Chapman, whose stretched effort was cleared off the line. However, Clarke reacted quickest to fire home on the rebound.

The hosts looked to build on their advantage, with Brandon Fleming and Duffy combining neatly, but visiting goalkeeper Enda Minogue stood tall to keep out Fleming's effort and then smother Duffy's subsequent attempt.

Adam O'Reilly went close shortly afterwards when he fired narrowly over following a neat lay-off from Clarke.

Dundalk threatened an equaliser as the half wore on, with Aodh Dervin volleying straight at Brian Maher before Trevor Clarke rose highest to meet a corner but could not keep his header down.

The visitors continued to push and came close to restoring parity when Ronan Teehan found himself with an opportunity inside the penalty area, only for Cameron Dummigan to produce a crucial last-ditch intervention to deny him.

Derry remained dangerous after the restart, with Clarke unable to curl the ball beyond Minogue after being wonderfully picked out by Chapman.

Duffy then got his eye in but flashed his effort wide as the hosts searched for that second goal.

The insurance arrived in the 71st minute though, with Duffy making an immediate impact after missing Monday's victory over St Patrick's Athletic.

The FAI Player of the Year nominee benefited from a slight break of the ball as he entered the Dundalk box before driving a clinical finish into the bottom-right corner to register his 11th goal in 11 games.

Derry looked to have given themselves a comfortable cushion, but Dundalk responded eight minutes later when Shane Tracey curled a superb effort into the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Brian Maher made his first appearance for Derry since August and was perhaps auditioning for the number one spot at the Aviva Stadium, but there was nothing he could do about Tracey's strike.

The goal set up a nervy closing spell for the Candystripes, who had to withstand Dundalk's attempts to find a late equaliser.

The away side couldn't conjure much by way of clear-cut opportunities and Mark Connolly's side held on to seal the points.