Derry City dropped vital points in the race for the League of Ireland Premier Division league title with a draw against Dundalk at the Brandywell.
City substitute Danny Mullen equalised after John Mountney’s first half header, but the home side could not find the winner.
Dundalk took the lead on 21 minutes when Daryl Horgan’s corner was met by Mountney, who steered a brilliant header across goal and beyond Brian Maher into the net.
Dundalk could have doubled their lead when Robert Mahon played Jamie Gullan in, but Maher was out quickly to save his team with a crucial block.
All the big chances were coming Dundalk’s way and they should have scored again three minutes before half time when Robbie Benson played in Mahon coming in from the left, but the winger side-footed the ball over the bar with just Maher to beat.
Half-time substitutes Mullen and Jacob Davenport made a significant difference with the home side finally getting a shot on target and equalising with it on 64 minutes. Davenport set up Mullen, who caressed the ball into the bottom corner left-footed from 18 yards for his ninth goal of the season.
It was then a question of Derry City getting the winning goal, but they had to wait until eight minutes from time for their next chance, Mullen going through only to be denied by goalkeeper Felix Goddard, who just did enough to keep the ball out.
The home side pushed and pushed in the closing stages, but they could not force the winner.
Derry City: Maher, Dummigan, Connolly, Coll, Doherty (Whelan 82’); O’Reilly (Davenport HT’), Patching, McMullan; Kelly (Mullen HT’), Hoban, Duffy.
Dundalk: Goddard, Pike, Boyle, Cann, Keogh (Oostenbrink 70’); Mountney, Benson (McGill HT’), Dervin; Horgan (Garbett 81’), Gullan (Kenny 81’), Mahon (O’Kane 63’).
Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin).