91�ȱ�

Derry City edged out Finn Harps 6-5 on penalties after Monday's EA Sports Cup clash had ended 1-1 after extra-time.

In-form Rory Patterson struck Derry ahead on 17 minutes but Aaron O'Hagan levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Shane McEleney struck the Harps woodwork before Patterson was sent off after getting a second yellow card.

Paul McVeigh had the chance to win the shoot-out for Harps but hit a post and Tommy Bonner's miss then handed victory to the Candystripes.

McVeigh's chance to win the shoot-out in sudden death came after Harps keeper Ciaran Gallagher had saved from Shane McEleney and Simon Madden.

After McVeigh's miss, Raymond Foy's spot-kick put Derry 6-5 up and with the pressure firmly on Bonner, he blazed over the crossbar to send Declan Devine's team into the next round.

With Republic of Ireland stars Seamus Coleman and James McClean in the crowd, Harps made the better start with Matt Harkin particularly prominent.

However, Patterson's superb overhead kick put Derry ahead against the run of of play as he notched his fifth goal in four games.

Michael Duffy missed a chance to extend Derry's lead before O'Hagan levelled in the 45th minute after a fine cross from Johnny Bonner.

McEleney headed against the woodwork after the restart but Harps continued to look dangerous as Gerard Doherty made a good save to deny Johnny Bonner.

Patterson was sent off in the 75th minute when he got a second yellow card after being adjudged to have led with the elbow while challenging Ciaran Coll.

Both teams had chances late in normal time with Doherty denying McVeigh and Gallagher then saving a Duffy shot.

Despite a number of half-chances in extra-time, the game went to the shoot-out where Derry were to emerge victorious.