Derry City effectively ended St Patrick's Athletic's Premier Division title challenge with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Kevin Dos Santos' second-half header proved decisive as Mark Connolly's men held firm under late pressure to claim all three points and move up to fifth in the table with two games remaining.

Goalkeeper Tom Norcott and defender Patrick McClean produced crucial interventions in stoppage time as Pat's desperately pushed for an equaliser.

The result means Pat's title hopes are all but over while Derry, who were without star man Michael Duffy, returned to winning ways after Friday's defeat in Drogheda.

Duffy picked up a knock on Friday night, while Cameron Dummigan and Conor Barr also dropped to the bench amid the quick turnaround.

In the opening stages, Kian Leavy was lively for St Pat's, who could have been playing for top spot in the Premier Division had they not suffered a collapse against Shelbourne on Friday night.

Mathematically, they still had a chance at the title, but only a win on Foyleside would keep them in the hunt.

However, clear-cut chances were limited in a subdued opening 45 minutes.

Tyler Smith had an early opportunity for Derry but fired into the side netting as the hosts looked to make an early breakthrough.

Jamie Stott then almost gifted St Pat's an opener midway through the half when he sold goalkeeper Norcott short with a backpass.

Norcott reacted quickly, stretching to clear the danger with Aidan Keena lurking and sparing his defender's blushes.

Derry fashioned a promising opportunity in the 26th minute when Darragh Burns led a counter-attack and exchanged passes with Smith, but the winger could only direct his effort straight at Joseph Anang.

St Pat's struggled to create much in response, with Jamie Lennon attempting an acrobatic effort before Barry Baggley tested Norcott from distance, which the Derry keeper comfortably gathered.

Following the restart, Anthony Olusanya saw a snapshot whizz narrowly over the crossbar, while Joe Redmond failed to keep his header down from a promising position as Pat's looked to keep their title hopes alive.

Saints appeared to be enjoying their best spell of the game, but it was Derry who broke the deadlock after the hour mark.

Substitute Barr drove down the right flank before delivering a beautifully flighted cross into the penalty area, where Dos Santos met it with a well-guided header that flew low past Anang and into the bottom corner.

City almost found themselves pegged back within minutes when Ryan Edmondson was sent bearing down on goal for the visitors.

However, McClean, who has been outstanding in recent weeks, produced a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny the Saints forward a potential equaliser and preserve the Candystripes' advantage.

The Dublin side continued to push for a leveller, with Ryan Sheridan going close and a deflected effort from Zach Elbouzedi almost looping into the net.

McClean headed the ball off the line in stoppage time to typify his immense performance.

Romal Palmer forced a terrific save from Norcott in the dying seconds and perhaps should have scored with the last kick of the game but fired wide from close range.

Derry held on to keep their clean sheet intact and secure all three points.