By Richard O'Reilly
Derry City were beaten 4-0 by Dundalk FC for the second time in as many weeks.
After last weekend's FAI Cup fixture, the sides met in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland.
Dundalk took the lead at Maginn Park after 24 minutes via Robbie Benson.
The Lilywhites then added a second a minute later when David McMillan doubled the lead.
It got worse for the Candystripes as Dundalk went about pressing their advantage.
On the whistle match report from Maginn Park as #DundalkFC defeat Derry City 4-0! https://t.co/LZco5uhwRB pic.twitter.com/Tg31hJncZk
— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) August 20, 2017
Benson registered his second of the game, following up on a Micahel duffy shot to convert the rebound.
John Mountney then scored 5 minutes before the interval, after getting on the end of a Dane Massey cross to make it 4-0 at halftime.
Derry were unable to make any change on the scoreline in the second period, the game finishing 4-0.
The Candystripes remain in third, however now find themselves looking over their shoulder, with fourth place Shamrock Rovers only 2 points behind.