Derry City twice came from behind to draw with Sligo Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, moving three points clear of Shamrock Rovers in third place.
And the heroics of Bit O’Red goalkeeper Ed McGinty ensured Sligo earned a valuable point, although they will be disappointed with the manner of the goals conceded.
Rovers were leading 1-0 at half-time thanks to Reece Hutchinson, while Michael Duffy levelled the scoring on 52 minutes.
Niall Morahan put Sligo ahead again on 67 minutes, with Will Patching’s penalty the equaliser.
Despite suffering defeat to Shamrock Rovers on Monday evening, Ruadhri Higgins’ side still occupied second place in the table coming into tonight’s game.
The Candystripes’ home form is the best in the league with six wins and one draw, and the hosts had won four out of their last six prior to Monday’s defeat.
John Russell’s men have struggled for form, sitting in eighth place in table after what Russell called his side’s worst performance of the season last Friday when the Bit O’Red were beaten 3-0 by Bohemians.
Despite their struggles, Sligo started well at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium with Connor Malley forcing a save from Brian Maher early on.
A brilliant save at point blank range from Ed McGinty in the Sligo goals denied Michael Duffy from close range after six minutes when he flicked on McMullen’s corner.
Derry’s defence were caught by surprise on 18 minutes when Hutchinson’s cross-come-shot looped over Brian Maher in Derry’s goals and into the net, much to the shock of the home side, and perhaps to his own team-mates too.
Despite being down to the bare bones, Sligo were handling an experienced Derry side well.
And another stop from McGinty kept out Pat Hoban’s attempt at the corner on the half hour mark.
And Derry hit back early in the second half, with Michael Duffy capitalising on JR Wilson’s mistake as the former Shelbourne defender took a touch instead of clearing the danger, with Duffy sneaking in and robbing him of possession, tucking his shot under Ed McGinty.
Derry’s tails were up, but it was the visitors who struck next.
A poor clearance from the solid Brian Maher fell to Bit O’Red captain Morahan whose powerful effort beat the Derry netminder, sending Rovers ahead.
The visitors were under pressure, and the hosts were wondering how they weren’t at least level with Patching and Hoban going close.
They were given a lifeline on 82 minutes when Reece Hutchinson made a mess of an attempted clearance as Paul McMullan was charging through, and a nudge from the former Cheltenham defender saw McMullan go over in the box, winning the penalty.
Patching’s penalty just about beat McGinty, but Derry were back level.
And the hosts battled hard to find a winner, but another brilliant save from McGinty meant that John Russell’s side travel back to Sligo with a very valuable point in their pocket.
Derry City: B Maher, B Doherty (D Mullen, 74), R Boyce (C Dummigan, 46), S Todd (C McJannet, 46), S McEleney, A O’Reilly, S Diallo (P McEleney, 46), W Patching, P McMullan, M Duffy, P Hoban.
Sligo Rovers: E McGinty, JR Wilson, C Reynolds (R Smit, 75), C Wiggett, R Hutchinson, C Malley, N Morahan, E Chapman, F Hartmann (O Elding, 76), S Radosavljevic (K McDonagh, 92), K Barlow.
Referee: Rob Hennessy.
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