DERRY City, for the second time this season, were fortunate to leave the Carlisle Grounds with a share of the spoils against Bray Wanderers last night.
The home side had numerous chances to win all three points as Peter Hutton's men were disappointing throughout.
The visitors had the first chance on five minutes but Sean Houston's close range flick from Mark Timlin's whipped corner was easily gathered by Wanderers goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness.
On 22 minutes, the woodwork came to City's rescue. Some neat play by Jake Kelly saw him easily get away from Shane McEleney to latch onto Dave Webster's long-ball, his attempted lob over the out-rushing Gerard Doherty, bounced up and hit the bar before Shaun Kelly cleared the loose ball.
Minutes later, Doherty was called into action again. David Cassidy raced into the visitors' penalty box, but his low drive was kept out by the diving Derry net-minder.
Just after the half-hour mark, a clever through ball by Barry McNamee released Rory Patterson but his shot from just outside the box whistled past McGuinness' left hand post.
The home side deservedly took the lead right on the stroke of half-time after some terrible defending by City.
Peter Hutton's side failed to clear their lines properly when Jake Kelly's free-kick came into the box and the ball fell to Dean Zambra. His return centre from the right found a diving Adam Mitchell and the unmarked centre-back gleefully headed home from close range.
City made a change at the break with Philip Lowry being replaced by Ryan Curran, as the visitors reverted to a 4-4-2 formation but it was the Seagulls who looked the more likely to add a second goal.
Alan Mathews' side missed a glorious chance to increase their lead when Adam Hanlon's left wing centre found an unmarked Jake Kelly, but his strike from four yards failed to trouble Doherty and flashed wide.
Doherty made a wonderful save on 58 minutes, this time doing well to keep out Jake Kelly's well-hit r i g h t - f o o t e d volley.
Derry did level things on 61 minutes from the penalty spot after Patterson ((pictured) dusted himself down after he was brought down by Dave Webster inside the box to coolly slot the ball into McGuinness's bottom left hand corner.
Wanderers had another good chance to regain the lead on 76 minutes when Mitchell found himself free inside the Derry penalty box, but he fired wide.
The home side continued to push forward and they were gifted the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot after Jake Kelly was brought down by Doherty, after Shaun Kelly's under-hit back pass fell well short, but Kelly's resulting penalty flew well over the bar.
Derry's miserable night was summed up on 83 minutes when Shaun Kelly was sent-off after he received a second caution following a challenge on his namesake Jake.
In stoppage time, Wanderers were reduced to 10 men themselves when Niall Cooney was shown his second yellow card followed by a red after a heavy challenge on Joshua Tracey, which resulted in the Derry winger being stretched off.
MATCH STATS
Bray Wanderers: McGuinness, Cooney, Mitchell, Webster, Barker; Scully, Cassidy, Zambra (Hughes 83), G Kelly, Hanlon; J Kelly
Derry City: Doherty, Kelly, S McEleney, Barry (McBride 87), Jarvis; Tracey (Boyle 90), Houston, McNamee, Timlin; Lowry (Curran H-T); Patterson
Referee: Mr Rob Rogers (Dublin)