After Kenny’s first half-time team talk at Richmond Park, the hosts came out looking perkier in the second half. Former Cliftonville man Luke Turner headed wide from a corner 10 minutes in while Brandon Kavanagh stung the hitherto-unused hands of Brian Maher with a long-range strike shortly after.
Just before the hour mark, Higgins introduced Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy off the bench and the latter almost picked out Hoban with a teasing cross from the left.
However, it was the hosts who came closest to an opener on 66 minutes as Kavanagh’s strike beat Maher but not Shane McEleney, who cleared off the line.
The significance of that block was highlighted on 77 minutes when an inch-perfect through ball by Patrick McEleney was latched on to by McMullan, who coolly slotted past the onrushing Rogers for his second of the season.
Urged on by the home support, St Pat’s pushed for a leveller but the closest they came was a Joe Redmond header wide from a Jake Mulraney free-kick on 88 minutes.
The win will satisfy Higgins as the Derry manager looks to secure a victory over the champions at the third time of asking this year on Monday night.