CITY FLUFF LINES ON A BIG NIGHT!
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DANNY MULLEN came off the bench to rescue a point for Derry against struggling Dundalk at the Brandywell but it was an opportunity missed for the title chasing Candystripes.
With leaders Shelbourne playing 24 hours later at the Sligo Showgrounds, Ruaidhri Higgins’ troops had the chance to move above them for the first time since early March.
It didn’t go to plan, however, as Dundalk skipper John Mountney silenced the home support with a powerful header from Daryl Horgan’s corner kick on 21 minutes.
Higgins rang the changes at halftime with debutante Jacob Davenport and Mullen entering the fray.
And it had the desired effect with the subs combining for the equaliser on 64 minutes.
Derry made a dominant opening to the match and came close to an early breakthrough on 11 minutes. Mark Connolly switched the play wide to Ben Doherty in space on the left wing and crossed dangerously into the six yard box but Duffy’s downard header bounced over the crossbar.
For all of Derry’s dominance it was Dundalk who hit the front on 21 minutes against the run of play.
Horgan swung in a corner and Mountney peeled off his man and guided a powerful header into the far corner.
The Lilywhites were unfortunate not to be going in at the break with a more comfortable lead and Derry looked more like the team battling the drop than chasing the title.
Unsurprisingly, Higgins (inset) made a double substitution at the break and ex-blackburn and Morecambe midfielder Davenport was handed his debut, replacing Adam O’reilly.
Striker Mullen was also introduced at the expense of ex-dundalk man Daniel Kelly.
The Candystripes were back on level terms on 64 minutes when Davenport found fellow sub Mullen and the Scotsman buried his strike into the bottom corner for his ninth goal of the season.
With eight minutes to go, Mullen skipped clear of Andy Boyle and was sent through on goal but Felix Goddard was quick off his line and charged down his shot.