Michael Duffy celebrates after scoring Derry’s first goal
The match, due to kick off at 7.45 pm, was heavily delayed due to power problems with the floodlights.
But the 4,142 crownd who packed into Dalymount Park were rewarded for their patience as a game that promised massive implications in both the title race and battle for European football next season lived up to its billing.
The sides were level on points before kick off but Derry City had an ace up their sleeve as they had a game in hand over The Gypsies.
But the home side should have made most of the early running and could have their noses in front after two minutes on the clock.
Following a deep cross to the back post, that caused mayhem in the Derry defence, the ball eventually fell invitingly for the in-form frontman, Johnny Afolabi, but somehow the big number nine got his feet all wrong and fluffed his lines.
The dominant start from the unbeaten-in-eight Bohs paid off after 12 minutes when James Clarke was brilliantly found behind the Derry back line by Paddy Kirk’s through ball and the attacking midfielder did the rest coolly slotting the ball under Brian Maher.
The visitors were dealt yet another blow after 20 minutes, losing the talismanic Mark Connolly, forced off through injury.
Despite the setbacks, and against the run of play, the visitors hauled themselves level when Paul McMullen slipped in Michael Duffy inside the area and the winger’s powerful strike from close range deflected up past the helpless James Talbot.
In a thrilling end-to-end both sides had chances to add to their tally and on the stroke of half time it was the visitors turn to take the lead.
Danny Mullen leaped early over Kacper Radkowski and despite the height difference, looped an expertly taken header into the top corner to give his side the lead.
The relentless pace continued after the break and minutes after the restart it was the hosts turn to hit back when Adam McDonnell was clipped late by Sadou Diallo in the area. Afolabi stepped up confidently and made no mistake stroking home from 12-yards out.
Moments later left back Ben Doherty forced Talbot into one of the saves of the season, somehow tipping a powerful strike from the edge of the area that looked destined for the top corner, onto the crossbar.
Neither side could find that all elusive winner despite their best efforts and remain third and fourth in the table but seven points behind the league leaders Shamrock Rovers who beat Dundalk 1-0 on Friday evening at the Tallaght Stadium.
Next up for The Candystripes is an away trip to Dundalk on Friday, September 1 (kick off 7.45 pm).
Bohemians: James Talbot, Keith Buckley, Krystian Nowak, Kacper Radkowski, Paddy Kirk, Dylan Connolly (Declan McDaid, 65’), Adam McDonnell, Jordan Flores, Danny Grant, James Clarke, Jonathan Afolabi (John O’Sullivan, 88’)
Subs not used: Luke Dennison, Bartlomiej Kukulowicz, Louie Holzman, Ali Coote, James McManus, Kris Twardek, Cian Byrne
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ciaran Coll, Cameron McJannett, Mark Connolly (Shane McEleney, 18’), Ben Doherty, Paul McMullan, Adam O’Reilly, Sadou Diallo (Patrick McEleney, 65’), Michael Duffy, Will Patching, Danny Mullen
Subs not used: Jamie McGonigle, Brandon Kavanagh, Jordan McEneff, Sam Todd, Tadhg Ryan, Cian Kavanagh
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