Derry City boss Kevin Mahon admitted his immense relief after substitute Gary Beckett had given the Brandywell side a Cup lifeline against Bray Wanderers on Saturday night. But Mahon was of the belief that his side had deserved Beckett's 83rd-minute equaliser which cancelled out Justin Dutton's 36th-minute strike.

"We had three or four quality chances to score before Gary was introduced," Mahon said, "but, in the end, I'm relieved that we're still there. It was a close call."

Bray's Pat Devlin predictably admitted his disappointment: "On the way up here I would have accepted a draw, but I am very disappointed to have conceded a late goal. We've never won at the Brandywell, but we played particularly well in the first half and could have added another goal. Derry will face a different Bray on Wednesday night."

Dutton took advantage of sloppy Derry defensive play when he hooked the ball home to silence the home support.

However, all was well when Beckett entered the fray at the expense of flu victim Andy Moran in the 75th minute. The Enniskillen man lost his marker following a Darren McCaul corner, before smashing a right-foot volley into the roof of the net.

DERRY CITY: Platt; McCallion, Hutton, Kelly, Hargan; Moran, Hegarty, Doherty, McCready; Coyle, McHugh. Subs: McCaul for McHugh (42 mins), Beckett for Moran (75 mins).

BRAY WANDERERS: Walsh; Gifford, Doohan, Tresson, Farrell; O'Brien, Keogh, Byrne, Ryan; O'Connor, Dutton. Subs: C O'Brien and Fox for O'Connor and Byrne (both 85 mins), Dodd for P O'Brien (87 mins).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).