Unfortunate midfielder Higgins sliced a long throw from Damien Brennan, who joined Vikings from Derry in the close season, into his own net for the only goal of a dour game on 64 minutes.

Chances had been few and far between in a desperately poor game prior to that.

Derry’s only real chance came after 10 minutes when Vikings’ keeper Gary Rogers was equal to a header from Stephen O’Flynn.

Not to be outdone, David Forde then made the stop of the half when parrying away a stinging drive from Vikings' midfielder Ben Whelehan on 23 minutes.