SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Derry City 1 Shelbourne 1
Derry City missed their chance to move into top spot, as Sean Boyd’s late equaliser earned leaders Shelbourne, a point, at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Not for the first time this season Ruaidhrí Higgins’s side failed to captailise on the clear cut chances that they created.
Paul McMullan's first goal for the Foyleside club in his 35th appearance, capped what was a man of the match display, but just wasn't enough for the victory.
Since Derry defeated Shels in the 2022 FAI Cup Final, the sides have met five times and only three goals have been scored between them, as both defences have been on top and it was a similar story in the first half.
While Derry carried more of a threat and were unlucky on a number of occasions, Shels net-minder Conor Kearns wasn’t called into action much in the opening 45 minutes.
The Candystripes made one change to their side which drew at Galway United with Ben Doherty replacing Daniel Mullen, who dropped to the bench.
Derry created the first real opening on 11 minutes as Pat Hoban's clever pass in behind Sean Grannon released Doherty, but Kearns raced off his line to deny the City winger.
Woodwork came to the visitors rescue on 17 minutes as McMullan’s stunning volley from the edge of the box, which had Kearns beaten, came back off the keeper’s left hand post.
Just after the half-hour mark Hoban missed a glorious chance as Doherty’s ring wing clipped cross into the six yard box found the striker, but the front-man headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Derry took the lead on 56 minutes as McMullan captialise on a Shels defensive mistake as Gavin Molloy's terrible pass inside the box only found the Scottish winger and his first time strike clipped the post on it's way past a diving Kearns.
Soon after Shels went close as Kameron Ledwidge's long range shot was fizzed into the box and an in-rushing Liam Burt blazed over from 10 yards.
Derry should have doubled their lead on 71 minutes as Will Patching’s defensive splitting pass found Adam O’Reilly, but his close range shot was well saved by a diving Kearns.
The Dubliners levelled things on 90 minutes as substitute Boyd got in front of Cameron McJannet to slide the ball home from close range giving Maher no chance.
Derry City: Maher, Boyce, Connolly, McJannet, Coll; O’Reilly, Patching (Mullen 92), McMullan; Kelly (Diallo 81), Hoban, Doherty.
Shelbourne: Kearns, Gannon (Farrell 79), Barrett, Molly, Ledwidge (Wilson 68); Lunney, Coyle (Williams 85), Burt; Jarvis, Martin (Smith HT), O’Sullivan (Boyd 68).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
