Ronan Boyce celebrates after he scores to grab a draw against Sligo Rovers> Pic by Kevin Moore
The defender’s 85th-minute shot took a wicked deflection off Shane Blaney to stretch Derry’s unbeaten run to eight matches.
Jordan Gibson opened the scoring for the visitors when he found the target early in the second half.
The Candystripes are now without a home win in nine matches this campaign.
City went close to taking the lead on 33 minutes as full-back Danny Lafferty did well down the left before his low centre found David Parkhouse, but the big striker fired over from just around the penalty spot.
Soon after a poor clearance by Jack Malone only found Greg Bolger and his clever pass into the edge of the box to Johnny Kenny meant the young striker had time to get a super drive on goal, but Derry keeper Nathan Gartside did well to turn the effort around the post.
The home side went close to breaking the deadlock on 54 minutes as Will Patching cut in from the left before seeing his curling 20 yard strike sail just past the right hand post.
Rovers took the lead a minute later as Jordan Gibson broke in behind the Derry defence, to latch onto Mark Byrne’s clever flick, before calmly slotting the ball past Gartside.
Just after the hour mark McGinty had to make a top save when diving full stretch to his left the Rovers keeper did well to keep out Jack Malone’s curling strike.
Another teasing pass by Greg Bolger on 76 minutes released Kenny and with Gartside caught in no man’s land, the young striker’s attempted lob into the unguarded net, sailed just wide.
Derry levelled things in somewhat fortunate circumstances on 85 minutes as Ronan Boyce’s low 20 yard drive froom the right hand side of the box took a big deflection off Shane Blaney before sneaking past McGinty.
Soon after Patching was inches away from giving the home side lead as his dipping pile driver had to be tipped over by McGinty.
Next up for Derry City is an away match against seventh placed Dundalk at Oriel Park this Friday, June 25 (kick off 7.45 pm).
After that the Candystripes go in search of a first home win of the season when they host lowly Waterford on Friday, July 2.
Of their 17 games played so far, City have won five, drawn seven and lost five, giving them a points tally of 22.
TEAMS
Derry City: Nathan Gartside, Ronan Boyce, Eoin Toal (Danny Lupano 45), Cameron McJannet, Daniel Lafferty; Ciaron Harkin, Jack Malone, Will Patching; Will Fitzgerald, David Parkhouse (Marc Walsh 65 – Patrick Ferry 78), James Akintunde.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty, Lewis Banks, Greg Bolger, Jordan Gibson, Niall Morahan, Ryan De Vries (Walter Figueira 77), Mark Byrne (Romeo Parkes 77), Shane Blaney, Regan Donelon, John Mahon, Johnny Kenny (David Cawley 77).
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).
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