IT could have gone either way but in the end Derry City will feel the happier after an entertaining draw against Dundalk.
The Oriel Park men led thanks to David McMillan’s 54th minute strike, but a goalkeeping mistake by Alessio Abibi gifted Cameron McJannet’s his second goal of the campaign for the Candystripes at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
The Oriel Park men, who lead thanks to David McMillan’s 54th minute strike, but a goalkeeping mistake by Alessio Abibi gifted Cameron McJannet’s his second goal of the campaign for the Candystripes.
The Lilywhites had great chances in the closing stages but the combination of some top goalkeeping by Nathan Gartside and the woodwork, meant Derry deservedly earned a point.
Dundalk missed a golden chance to take a 15th minute lead as Michael Duffy’s left wing cross from the bye-line found Patrick McEleney, but the former Brandywell favourite blasted wide from 10 yards.
Derry had half a chance minutes later when Ciaron Harkin’s centre found James Akintunude, but the Londoner, who got up well, failed to test Dundalk keeper Alessio Abibi, and headed over the bar.
The visitors were forced into a change on 35 minutes as David McMillan replaced Pat Hoban, who looked as though he picked up a calf injury.
The deadlock was broken on 54 minutes as a sublime first touch by McEleney gave him the time and space to feed Duffy down the left and his first time cross was turned home at the near post by an in-rushing McMillan.
Moments later a misplaced pass by Cameron McJannet only found Sam Stanton, but after raising clear the midfielder’s left footed strike was well kept out by a diving Nathan Gartside.
Derry levelled things six minutes later when McJannet was on hand from close range to turn home the loose ball, after Abibi’s poor punch fell had fallen perfectly for the centre-back.
Now on the front foot Declan Devine’s side went close to taking the lead on 76 minutes, but Will Fitzgerald’s 20 yard free-kick whistled just over the bar.
Soon after McMillan fired wide, after fellow substitute Ole Erik Midtskogen had headed down Duffy’s cross to create the chance.Gartside produced a superb save 88 minutes as diving low to his right to keep out McMillan went his close range strike.
The woodwork came to Derry’s rescue in the closing stages as Cameron Dummigan’s outstanding 20 yard pile driver, which had Gartside beaten, rattled the crossbar.
Next up for City is an away trip to Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday, April 24 (kick off is 6 pm).
Derry City: Nathan Gartside, Ronan Boyce, Eoin Toal, Cameron McJannet, Ciaran Coll; James Akintunde, Ciaron Harkin, Jack Malone, Will Fitzgerald, Daniel Lafferty (Patrick Barr 61); David Parkhouse.
Dundalk: Alessio Abibi, Cameron Dummigan, Andy Boyle, Daniel Cleary, Raivis Jurkovskis; Chris Shields, Sam Stanton (Wilfred Zahibo 66), Patrick McEleney; Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (Ole Erik Midtskogen 66), Patrick Hoban (David McMillan 35), Michael Duffy.
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Dublin).
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