Derry City miss chance to go top with Sligo draw

Derry City suffered another setback in their hopes for the League of Ireland title as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Sligo Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, missing out on the opportunity to go top of the table ahead of Shelbourne.

The hosts had to come from behind after Connor Malley's brilliant goal on 34 minutes stunned the home crowd and, while they levelled through Reece Hutchinson's own goal in the second-half, they could not force the much needed winner even after Luke Pearce was shown a second yellow card 15 minutes from time.

Despite just one win in eight league matches prior to Monday’s game, Ruaidhri Higgins’ side had gone into the game knowing they would go top of the table on goal difference with a win over the Bit O’Red.

But in a half bereft of clear-cut chances, Malley provided a moment of magic and put the away side in front with a stinging volley from around 30 yards out.

For the 25th time in 33 games this season, Derry failed to score in the first half of a league encounter, and there were some boos when the half-time whistle went.

The Foylesiders didn’t exactly respond strongly at the start of the second period but were thrown a lifeline when Hutchinson’s miscued clearance sailed into the Sligo net.

Colm Whelan and Danny Mullen worked Ed McGinty as the hosts went searching for a precious winner.

Pearce was giving his marching orders when he appeared to catch Brian Maher in an attempt to nudge the ball beyond the City goalkeeper.

Ellis Chapman sliced a glorious chance at the back post to restore Sligo’s lead despite their numerical disadvantage, before Sean Robertson squandered an almost identical opportunity at the other end to win it for Derry.

The Candystripes haven’t won the league since 1997 and will now travel to take on Dundalk and St. Patrick’s Athletic before hosting Shelbourne in what could be a potential title decider on the final night of the season.