Derry City's title challenge has suffered a setback as Dundalk earned a point at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
The Candystripes were disappointing for long periods of the match and despite substitute Daniel Mullen having a glorious chance to win the game at the death, Derry did not do enough.
John Mountney's first half header gave the relegation-threatened Lilywhites the advantage at the break and while Mullen levelled things just after the hour mark, Derry were unable to score a winner.
The draw means Derry now sit two points behind leaders Shelbourne, with Damien Duff's team also having played two games less.
Ruaidhrí Higgins' side dug deep to secure a point in Tolka Park against Shelbourne after going down to ten men. However, Derry lacked intensity tonight after their exertions on Monday against the league leaders and could have been 2-0 at the break.
The home side were unlucky not to take a 11th minute lead as Ben Doherty's teasing left wing cross found Michael Duffy, but his downward header into the ground bounced over the bar.
Dundalk took the lead on 22 minutes as Daryl Horgan's left-wing corner to the near post found Mountney and the winger's glancing header at the near post flew into Brian Maher's bottom right-hand corner.
The visitors went close to scoring a second on 34 minutes when on the counterattack Robert Mahon found Jamie Gullan in the box, but Maher came rushing off his line to deny the striker.
Dundalk missed a chance to double their lead just before half-time as Horgan cut in from the right before his pass into Robbie Benson was dummied by the midfielder but with the goal at his mercy, the left-winger blasted over.
Derry City made a double change at the break with Jacob Davenport getting his first minutes since signing in June and Daniel Mullen both came on for Daniel Kelly and Adam O'Reilly.
Derry drew level on 64 minutes as Davenport found Mullen on the edge of the box and his left footed curling strike seemed to catch out Goddard and nestled in the bottom right-hand corner.
The Candystripes had a chance to take the lead as Mullen got in behind Andy Boyle, but the Dundalk centre-back was saved by his goalkeeper.
Mullen had an even better chance on 86 minutes as he broke the offside trap, but with only Goddard to beat his attempted lob over the stranded goalkeeper landed on top of the net.
Right at the death, Will Patching's left wing free kick found Pat Hoban at the back post, but his header was easily gathered by Goddard.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Cameron Dummigan, Mark Connolly, Ciaran Coll, Ben Doherty (Colm Whelan 82); Adam O'Reilly (Jacob Davenport HT), Will Patching, Paul McMullan; Daniel Kelly (Daniel Mullen HT), Pat Hoban, Michael Duffy
Dundalk: Felix Goddard, Daniel Pike, Andy Boyle, Hayden Cann, Sean Keogh (Koen Oostenbrink 70); John Mountney, Robbie Benson (Scott McGill HT), Aodh Dervin; Darryl Horgan, Jamie Gullan (Eoin Kenny 81), Robert Mahon (Ryan O'Kane 63)
Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin)
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