Stand-in skipper Patrick McClean steps out of the shadows to lead the way as Derry end Saints' title hopes

League of Ireland Premier Division Derry City 1 - 0 St Patrick's Athletic The title surge from one of the three Dublin sides who had been challenging for the Premier Division crown this season ended with a whimper, and on a night when a Derry City player called McClean enjoyed playing a key role. Derry's win over title-chasing St Patrick's Athletic was secured by a goal from Kevin Dos Santos which came his way after dismal marking by the Saints. Derry did the damage even though City clearly had their focus on the FAI Cup final to the extent that captain and talisman Michael Duffy was given a night off, though their plans did get a boost when Darragh Markey surfaced after a five-month absence due to injury just in time for the big day out. This tame defeat means Pat's now need to win both of their remaining games, while praying that leaders Shamrock Rovers lose both of theirs, a hugely unlikely series of events. Pat's didn't look much like a team going for the title but on the rare occasion they did threaten, they came up against the firm presence of Patrick McClean, City skipper in Duffy's absence as he made at least three crucial interventions. Off-field drama around his brother, James, hung in the air without being a real distraction. Early in the first half there was a banner unfurled by Derry fans saying 'it's not weak to speak' along with an unprintable terrace chant about the ex-Ireland player , giving their response to McClean's weekend comments about seeking therapy. Then, just as the second half started, City fans' phones buzzed with a social media statement from James' wife Erin which echoed the sentiment of the Derry banner. In football terms, this game had a real Monday night feel to it, Derry minds on the FAI Cup final to come while Pat's lacked the zip required to get the win they needed to go level on points with second-placed Bohs and Derry seemed to lack verve in the opening stages of a rather dull game. City were the first side to threaten, Tyler Smith — one of the men playing for a cup final place — firing over in the third minute. Pat's woke up after that early minor threat and tried to poke holes in a defence that had conceded four times in the previous three league games. Derry needed a strong block from Patrick McClean on four minutes to snuff out the threat of Aidan Keena, and just after that Kian Levy looked like he could do something when he bore down on goal, only for the resolute Jamie Stott to get in his way. Former Saint Darragh Burns, now a Derry player, was part of a counter-attack on 26 minutes that tried to catch out the Saints but his final effort was weak and left Joe Anang with an easy save. That was pretty much it in terms of action in a dull first half. Derry made an early switch as Conor Barr came on at half-time for Brooklyn Lyons-Foster but with no real upsurge in intensity from either side. It was going to take either something truly special or a basic error to get the opening and that's what happened on 62 minutes, Burns with a cross from deep that Pat's should have cleared but Zach Elbouzedi stood off as Dos Santos was left with a simple finish to head home. Patrick McClean of Derry City played a captain's role © Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile The Saints tried to respond and while sub Ryan Edmondson timed his run to get sight of Thomas Norcott's goal, McClean came from nowhere to put in a crunching tackle to snuff out the threat. Pat's emptied their bench but with no change, with that man McClean getting home fans on their feet in the final minute with a Beckenbauer-esque run and clearance. Seán Hoare went close in injury-time before Norcott saved point blank from Romal Palmer, but City would earn that win and clean sheet as the Saints' title hopes vanished.