Derry miss chance to go top after draw with Sligo

However, the youngster fluffed his lines and the miss against 10-man Sligo could prove very costly for Derry City's title prospects. If the truth be told, Sligo failed to get the rub of the green, having conceded an own goal which had brought Derry level in the second half.

Yet again, the Foyleside club failed to finish on top, missing another opportunity to pile pressure on fellow title challengers Shelbourne, now two points ahead of them. 

Sligo may have lost the services of several members of their on-loan playing staff during the current campaign with manager John Russell having to delve into the transfer market in an effort to rebuild.

And it was abundantly clear that his recruitment efforts have proved positive given his side's first half performance at the Brandywell.

Having passed the ball with great precision and, indeed, broke on the counter-attack with great pace they broke the deadlock with a sublime strike in the 34th minute.

Midfielder Conor Malley was given the necessary space and his scintillating shot sent the ball screaming into the net giving Derry keeper Brian Maher no chance.

So for the fourth time in their last five matches the home side found themselves having to play catch-up in the first half.

Making matters worse for the Candystripes was the retirement of top hitman, Pat Hoban, the Galway man having sustained what appeared to be a troublesome hamstring injury, Danny Mullen called up to step in from the bench.

And with Ben Doherty having limped off during last Friday's draw with Bohemians with a torn calf muscle, Ruaidhri Higgins must deal with a worrying injury list.

Derry introduced a triple substitution following the change of ends with Patrick McEleney, Colm Whelan and Jacob Davenport all entering the fray with Adan O'Reilly, Will Patching and Andre Wisdom all called ashore.

Amazingly the home side restored equality in the 53rd minute when Sligo's Reece Hutchinson sliced the ball into his own net in the 53rd minute, the defender attempting to feed the ball back to advancing keeper, Ed McGinty.

That goal and the Derry changes saw Derry gain an amazing lift with Sligo clearly rattled by their bad luck.

Ellis Chapman had a great chance to put Sligo back into the driving seat following an electrifying burst forward by Will Fitzgerald and his precise delivery was perfect but the midfielder failed to take advantage when well placed.

At the other end in the minute McMullan could have given Derry the lead but his shot was well saved by McGinty and another significant scoring chance for the Scot was lost.

Sligo were cursed again in the 77th minute when referee Paul Norton sent Pearce off for when he appeared to follow through on a challenge with Maher.

To be fair to the Sligo player, it was a poor decision, the player was entitled to challenge for the ball, but received a second yellow card.

Sligo continued to battle but they failed to convert several clear-cut chances as Derry huffed and puffed.

Derry should have won this game in stoppage time when substitute Sean Robertson was presented with a superb opportunity but he carelessly lashed the ball wide of the target when racing through in the 93rd minute.

DERRY CITY: Maher; Boyce, Connolly, Wisdom (Whelan, h/t), Coll; Diallo (Robinson, 85) O'Reilly (McEleney, h/t); McMullan, Patching (Davenport, h/t), Duffy; Hoban (Mullan, 36).

SLIGO ROVERS: McGinty; Wilson, Chapman , Denham (Elding, 72), Huchinson; Morahan, Malley; Power, Henry-Francis, Fitzgerald; Pearce.

Referee: Paul Norton (Dublin).