Stopper Luke Dennison was forced to make a low save to deny Gavin Whyte’s shot from range and prevent the Northern Ireland player from giving the home side an early lead.
Derry had the better early chances and, in the 24th minute, Duffy’s looping free-kick was headed narrowly wide of the left-hand post by Kevin Holt.
The Candystripes’ persistence paid off and they took the lead when Duffy’s cross from near the by-line was nodded into the bottom right-hand corner by Todd from close range.
It was 2-0 on 36 minutes and Duffy was involved again. This time the winger latched onto a through ball and travelled past Dennison who had come off his line, but the onrushing Andrew Quinn cleared his strike away from goal.
However, no one in a claret and blue shirt was able to stop Ronan Boyce from tapping home the rebound.
The defending FAI Cup champions tried to quickly get a goal back with Thomas Oluwa’s on-target effort palmed away by Brian Maher.
Carl Winchester thought he had further extended the home side’s lead in first half additional time, but he was offside.
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