Derry City drop points against struggling Dundalk at the Brandywell

Derry City 1

Dundalk 1

Derry City missed the chance to go top of the Premier Division with a disappointing draw against struggling Dundalk.

Danny Mullen came off the bench to equalise after John Mountmey's first half header, but the striker missed big chances to take all three points.

In what was Ruaidhri Higgins’ 150th game in charge of the club, the home side were expected to have too much for a poor Dundalk team fighting for their lives at the foot of the table, but they paid the price for a poor first half performance.   

Unsurprisingly, Derry City were on top early on and they created the first chance of the game just 11 minutes in when Ben Doherty whipped a cross in towards the near post and found Michael Duffy, who headed down into the ground and over from close range.

But it was Dundalk who took the lead 10 minutes later when Daryl Horgan’s corner was met by John Mountney, who steered a brilliant header across goal and beyond Brian Maher into the net.

The goal had a bad effect on Derry who couldn’t get going, and they could well have conceded a second on 34 minutes when Dundalk counter-attacked with Robert Mahon playing Jamie Gullan in, but Maher was out quickly to save his team with a crucial block.

All the big chances were coming Dundalk’s way and they should have scored again three minutes before half time when Robbie Benson played in Mahon coming in from the left, but the winger side-footed the ball over the bar with just Maher to beat.

Half Time 0-1

Ruaidhri Higgins made a double change at the break, giving Jacob Davenport his Derry City debut, while Danny Mullen also came on to join Pat Hoban in attack; Adam O’Reilly and Daniel Kelly both made way.

The two substitutes made a significant difference with the home side finally getting a shot on target and equalising with it on 64 minutes. Davenport set up Mullen, who caressed the ball into the bottom corner left-footed from 18 yards for his ninth goal of the season.

It was then a question of Derry City getting the winning goal, but they had to wait until eight minutes from time for their next chance, Mullen going through only to be denied by goalkeeper Felix Goddard, who just did enough to keep the ball out.

The home side pushed and pushed in the closing stages, but Dundalk defended resolutely and a huge opportunity to put Shelbourne under pressure at the top was gone. Damien Duff’s side can now extend their lead at the top of the Premier Division if they win at Sligo Rovers tomorrow evening.

Teams

Derry City: Maher, Dummigan, Connolly, Coll, Doherty (Whelan 82’); O'Reilly (Davenport HT’), Patching, McMullan; Kelly (Mullen HT’), Hoban, Duffy.

Dundalk: Goddard, Pike, Boyle, Cann, Keogh (Oostenbrink 70’); Mountney, Benson (McGill HT’), Dervin; Horgan (Garbett 81’), Gullan (Kenny 81’), Mahon (O’Kane 63’).

Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin).