Derry City players celebrate Joe Thomson’s goal to put Candystripes 2-1 up. Pix by North West Newspix
But a late on Billy King strike robbed the Candystripes of a win and valuable three points which could have put them into sixth place and one place ahead of North West rivals Finn Harps.
And City were also denied their first home win of the season in a thrilling encounter without any fans inside the Brandywell.
St Pat’s took the lead on 22 minutes.
Benson’s corner lured Nathan Gartside from his line, but the goalkeeper could only punch the ball upwards into the air and when dropped Lee Desmond headed the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.
But City responded quickly to that opening goal and drew level four minutes later.
Eoin Toal was unlucky to see his header cleared off the line by Chris Forrester, but the City captain was involved again moments later as he met Patching’s corner, and with the ball squirming about in the area, Ronan Boyce somehow forced the ball over the line.
It was Boyce’s second goal in two games and brings his tally so far for the season to four.
Derry pushed for a second and it finally arrived on 68 minutes and it was a fantastic effort from Joe Thomson.
Patching delivered a free kick into the area and it was headed clear to the edge of the box, but only as far as the Scot who drilled it powerfully past Jaros and into the net to make it 2-1.
As the clock ticked down, it looked like the Candystripes were on for a famous home against third placed St Pat’s.
Joe Thomson scored Derry’s second goal of the game
St Pat’s equalised on 84 minutes when sub Ben substitute Ben McCormack’s accurate cross was met by Billy King who powered a header past Gartside from close range to level the game at 2-2.
Certainly, City deserved more but it is a young side you are improving with each game.
But they need to shore up their defence otherwise a long awaited home win could be a distant dream.
Next up for Derry City is a tough away trip this Friday night against fourth placed Drogheda Utd.
Teams
DERRY CITY: Nathan Gartside, Ciaran Coll, Eoin Toal, Cameron McJannett, Ronan Boyce, Danny Lafferty (Jack Malone 75’), Ciaron Harkin, Joe Thomson (Will Fitzgerald 89’), Will Patching, James Akintunde, David Parkhouse (Darren Cole 81’).
ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Vitezslav Jaros, John Mountney, Lee Desmond, Sam Bone, Paddy Barrett (Ben McCormack 79’), Shane Griffin (Ian Bermingham 34’), Alfie Lewis (Nahum Melvin-Lambert 70’), Chris Forrester, Robbie Benson, Billy King, Ronan Coughlan.
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