Pat Hoban rescued Derry City with a last-gasp penalty in a dramatic and controversial finale against Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell.
The striker came off the bench to score his first goal in eight games and earn the Candystripes a crucial point, just when it seemed that they had fallen to yet another defeat to Rovers.
With Shelbourne losing at Galway United, the gap between the top two is now down to three points with just six games remaining ahead of a potential title decider between the leading pair at the Brandywell on November 2.
On a night of fine margins, the most unlikely of goals scorers on the pitch would certainly have been Ciaran Coll, but that didn’t stop him from trying his luck midway through the half, his effort from 20 yards testing Leon Pohls who had to scramble to save.
But the Brandywell was silenced just two minutes later as Rovers took the lead with their first shot on goal, Johnny Kenny cutting inside to find Dylan Watts, who took a touch before curling the ball beyond Mark Connolly and the reach of Brian Maher into the corner to make it 1-0.
Rovers were comfortable after that, and frustration settled on the Brandywell crowd as their team was easily held at arm’s length by the champions.
The team and the fans needed a lift and it almost came with the final action of the half as Ronan Boyce won the ball outside the Rovers area and fed it to Duffy, who shot across goal, past Leon Pohls but wide of the post with the final kick of the half.
Derry had the ball in the net on the hour when Mark Connolly headed in from Paul McMullan’s cross but an offside flag cut short the celebrations of those in red and white.
Rovers then had the chance to double their lead when Josua Honohan raced to the byline at the other end and pulled the ball back across goal for Mandroiu, who sliced his effort wide of goal.
The home side were then incensed that they weren’t awarded a penalty when Danny Mullen’s cross appeared to be stopped by the arm of Lee Grace, but referee Damian McGraith awarded a corner before being surrounded by red and white shirts.
Just when it seemed that Derry had run out of ideas, they were awarded a controversial penalty when Patrick McEleney went down under a challenge from Josh Honohan.
Hoban, one of five second-half substitutes, slammed the kick into the bottom corner to make it 1-1 with six minutes of added time still to come.
Derry pushed for a late winner amidst great noise from their supporters but they had to make do with a point which, for so long, didn’t seem possible.
Derry City: Maher, Boyce, Connolly, Wisdom, Coll (Robertson 79), O’Reilly, Patching (Davenport 79), Diallo (P McEleney 65), Patching, Duffy, McMullan (Hoban 65), Mullen (Whelan 79).
Shamrock Rovers: Pohls, Honohan, Lopes, Grace, Cleary, Watts, Byrne (Burke 65) O’Neill, Mandroiu (Nugent 86), Farrugia, Kenny (McNulty 75).
Referee: Damian McGraith
Man of the Match: Dylan Watts (Shamrock Rovers)
Match Rating: 7/10