Derry City 0 Drogheda United 1
Derry City's poor Brandywell form continued, as Drogheda United shocked the home side by securing an unlikely victory.
Elicha Ahui's second half strike was enough for Kevin Doherty's men to claim the points, but in truth, as was City's lack of creativity, particularly at home, which must be concerning for boss Ruaidhri Higgins.
Again, the Candystripes dominated possession for long periods but never tested Drogheda United keeper Colin McCabe.
Both sides had men red carded with Emmanuel Adegboyega dismissed in the first half. That incident also saw manager Kevin Doherty sent-off, before Cameron McJannet picked up two cautions in the second half.
On 10 minutes, a sublime 30 yard pass by Shane McEleney released Jamie McGonigle, but the striker's attempted chip, while stretching, was easily gathered by McCabe.
Minutes later, McCabe was called into action again as Will Patching's long range pile driver resulted in the United keeper diving to his right to parry the effort away.
The visitors were harshly reduced to ten men on 26 minutes as Adegboyega was shown a straight red card by referee Arnold Hunter, after the defender brought down McGonigle, who was racing in on goal.
The dismissal infuriated the United bench, so much so that manager Doherty was also sent-off, for taking his protests too far.
Just before the break, a neat passing move by the home side ended with Ollie O'Neill's cut-back finding Patching, but the midfielder's left-footed effort from just inside the box flew well over the bar.
Deep into stoppage time in the first half, Drogheda had a half chance after Brian Maher failed to collect Dayle Rooney's free-kick, but fortunately for the City keeper, his team-mates managed to clear the loose ball.
Maher had to make a top save on 50 minutes as Sadou Diallo's misplaced pass only found Frederick Draper, but the striker's well hit drive from the edge of the box was gathered by the City number one.
Just after the hour mark, a lung-bursting run by Ben Doherty ended with his low cross finding McGonigle at the near post, but his left-footed shot fizzed over the bar.
City were reduced to ten men themselves on 67 minutes as McJannet picked up a second booking after fouling Draper, just in front of the home side's dug-out.
United had a good half chance on 73 minutes, but centre-back Conor Keeley blasted over from 10 yards, after City failed to clear their lines properly.
Moments later, Derry thought they had taken the lead but McGonigle's celebrations were cut short, as the assistants flag was up for offside and the effort was ruled out.
The visitors took the lead five minutes later as Elicha Ahui gleefully fired home from close range after the unfortunate Cian Kavanagh could only divert Rooney's free-kick straight into the defender's path.
Derry were denied an equaliser moments later as Shane McEleney's header towards goal was turned home by McGonigle, but again the striker was in an offside position and the goal was chalked off.
After McGonigle's disallowed goal, the Foylesiders never created much and will hope to put the performance down to a bad night at the office.
Derry City: Maher, Coll, S McEleney, McJannet, Doherty; Diallo (O'Reilly 56), Patching (Boyce 75), McEneff (P McEleney HT); Graydon (B Kavanagh 76), McGonigle, O'Neill (C Kavanagh (63).
Drogheda United: McCabe, Ahui, Keeley, Adegboyega, Markey (McNally HT), Deegan, Draper (Brennan 75), Grimes, Rooney, Jones, Heeney.
Referee: Arnold Hunter