National League/Derry City 2 St Patrick's Athletic 2: An 86th-minute equaliser at the Brandywell last night stopped Derry City claiming outright leadership of the Premier Division.
And it was an uncharacteristic defensive lapse by Derry which saw St Patrick's striker Keith Doyle take advantage.
With the home side on top, they failed to defend what appeared a harmless ball across the penalty area and Doyle took full advantage to drive the ball home.
St Patrick's started the match well and got the vital breakthrough in the 26th minute, following a penalty.
Doyle flicked the ball behind the Derry defence and as Gerard Rowe pounced, Hutton brought the striker down and referee Declan Hanney had no doubt and pointed to the spot. Keith Fahey sent David Forde the wrong way.
Stephen Kenny's men moved up a gear after the break and in the 61st minute equalised following a superb move involving four players. Gary Beckett laid the ball perfectly into Alan Murphy's path and he drove it powerfully home from 16 yards.
Four minutes later Derry took the lead with a spectacular goal by youngster Mark Farren.
Beckett played a probing ball forward and while Farren beat the advancing goalkeeper, Barry Ryan, in a race for the ball, the Derry striker was forced wide. However, for an acute angle, the striker superbly curled the ball home with his left foot.
The home side maintained the momentum but a lapse in concentration allowed the visitors grab a point.
As the ball was played across the danger area, a number of players failed to take responsibility and the alert Doyle gained possession and drove the ball beyond the reach of the advancing Forde from 18 yards to restore equality.
DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, Hargan; Martyn, Doherty (K Brennan, 88 mins), Murphy; Cash (McGlynn, 83 mins), Beckett, Farren (O'Flynn, 88 mins).
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Ryan; Prenderville, Maguire, C. Foley, Bell; Caffrey, Fahey, Perth (Dunne, 71 mins); Doyle (Donnelly, 89 mins), Rowe, M Foley (O'Keeffe, 71 mins).
Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).
