A LATE James Akintunde strike saved Derry City’s blushes this evening at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in a 1-1 draw with Longford Town.
It could have been the Candystripes second defeat on the bounce but on the 90th minute up stepped Akintunde to snatch a late equaliser.
The result leaves City, still winless at home, seventh in the table with eight points from 10 games.
Looking to bounce back from Monday’s derby defeat by Finn Harps, Derry dominated the opening stages but failed to find the breakthrough with Longford keeper Michael Kelly tipping an early Eoin Toal header behind for a corner.
Toal was again denied when his headed effort was cleared off the line by Dean Zambra before Gartside thwarted Robinson at the other end.
Parkhouse fired inches wide after being played through by Will Patching and the Northern Ireland Under-21 international again failed to find the back of the net when his header was gathered by Michael Kelly.
Derry felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Akintunde was felled in the box only for referee Rob Harvey to wave play on.
Having failed to breach the visitors’ defence, Derry looked to be heading towards a second defeat in the space of four days when Manley struck, latching on to Zambra’s pass before lashing home from close range.
However, after Derry substitute Patrick Ferry had produced a first-class save from Kelly with a well-struck volley, Akintunde’s deflected effort earned Ruaidhri Higgins’ side a hard-fought point.
City, who have won just three points from six home games this season, travel to champions Shamrock Rovers in their next game on Saturday, May 15.
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