League of Ireland Premier Division: Limerick 0-3 Derry City

Rory Patterson's fifth goal of the season gave Derry the half-time lead

Derry City have stretched their unbeaten streak to 10 games in all competitions after a 3-0 victory over Limerick at Markets Field.

Rory Patterson's goal on the stroke of half time put the Candystripes ahead and Aaron McEneff added a late brace.

Kenny Shiels' side returned to winning ways after consecutive draws against Bray Wanderers and Dundalk.

The result keeps Derry in fourth place in the Premier Division table, five points behind the leaders.

Derry began their unbeaten run with a five-goal rout of Limerick, which also marked their return to the redeveloped Brandywell Stadium, but they nearly fell behind in the opening minute.

Limerick captain Shane Duggan was picked out by Karl O'Sullivan but the midfielder's shot from 12 yards flew over the bar.

The home side wasted another early opportunity when Conor Clifford's long ball sent Danny Morrissey racing through on goal but the winger couldn't keep his effort on target.

The Candystripes gradually grew into the game as Nicky Low's shot flashed narrowly wide and Patterson forced a save from Brendan Clarke.

The visitors broke the deadlock just before half time when Rory Hale found Patterson in space and the forward kept his composure to finish.

Limerick began the second half brightly and Morrissey almost levelled the game when he fired into the side-netting.

The introduction of Mark O'Sullivan gave Limerick an added threat in attack but the striker missed a glorious chance to equalise when he blazed a shot over the crossbar from Morrissey's pull back.

Derry immediately punished that error as McEneff scored a rapid-fire brace.

The midfielder doubled his side's lead in the 84th minute and then stepped up to convert an injury-time penalty after he had been brought down inside the area.

The Candystripes next travel to bottom side Bray Wanderers on Friday, 4 May where a win could see them break back into the top three in the table.