Derry City's title hopes are well and truly alive, as Pat Hoban's stoppage time penalty earned them a deserved point against champions Shamrock Rovers.
Trialing to Dylan Watts' first half strike, the Foylesiders dominated things but a controversial stoppage time penalty won by Patrick McEleney and converted by Pat Hoban earned City a share of the spoils.
FULL MATCH DETAILS
The Hoops will be disappointed that they didn't leave the Brandywell with the win, but in the end Hoban's first goal in eight matches earned a share of the spoils.
Derry had the first shot on target for either team as Ciaran Coll's 25-yard drive, just after the midway point of the half, had to be kept out by a diving Rovers goalkeeper Leon Pohls.
The Dubliners broke the deadlock on 26 minutes as Johnny Kenny broke clear down the left before cutting the ball back to Dylan Watts just inside the box and the midfielder calmly picked his spot, curling the ball low into Brian Maher's bottom left hand corner.
In a first half of very few chances, Derry went close to equalising with the last kick of the half, but Michael Duffy's angled shot from the left-hand side of the box flashed just past Pohls' left hand post.
The home side started well after the break but Danny Mullen's 20-yard shot on the turn, which was well-hit, was straight at Pohls, who easily gathered onto the strike.
The Candystripes thought they had levelled things just after the hour mark by Mark Connolly's header was rightfully chalked off after the defender had pushed Roberto Lopes in the build up to the goal.
City had a massive call for a penalty moments later as Mullen's left wing cross seemed to be blocked Lee Grace's trailing arm, after the centre-back slid back to an attempt to block the centre, but referee Damien MacGraith waved away the home side's protests.
Soon after, Derry made a double change in an attempt to get back into the game as they brought on Patrick McEleney and Pat Hoban replacing Sadou Diallo and McMullan.
Derry scored their all important equaliser on 92 minutes in controversial circumstances as McEleney was adjudged to have been clipped inside the box by Honohan, referee MacGraith pointed to the spot and after Rovers' protests were waved away, Hoban slotted home his first goal in eight games.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Mark Connolly, Andre Wisdom, Ciaran Coll (Sean Robertson 78); Sadou Diallo (Patrick McEleney 65), Adam O'Reilly, Will Patching (Jacob Davenport 78); Paul McMullan (Pat Hoban 65), Daniel Mullen (Colm Whelan 79), Michael Duffy.
Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls, Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Josh Honohan, Dylan Watts, Gary O’Neill, Jack Byrne (Graham Burke 65), Neil Farrugia; Danny Mandroiu (Darren Nugent 86); Johnny Kenny (Marc McNulty 72).
Referee: Damien MacGrath
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