Ten-man Sligo staged a gallant revival to snatch a late equaliser in a six-goal thriller at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.
Derry's new manager Kevin Mahon looked to be on course for a winning start to his managerial career when Gary Beckett gave his side a 3-2 advantage in the 57th minute. Six minutes earlier Sligo had been reduced to 10 men when centre back Matt Hare was sent off for a second bookable offence.
But Sligo piled on the pressure in an exciting finish and got a deserved equaliser when Neil Ogden blasted the ball home through a crowded goalmouth, three minutes from time.
Despite the stormy conditions, both sides produced some stylish football in the first half. Marcus Hallows gave Sligo the lead with a spectacular goal after nine minutes, but Derry recovered to take a 21 half-time lead thanks to goals from Liam Coyle and Eamonn Doherty. Sligo's top scorer Glenn Shannon made it 2-2 with a glancing header within 60 seconds of the restart.
SLIGO ROVERS: Boswell, Reid, Hutchison, Birks, Sheridan, Hare, O'Grady, Shannon, Hallows, Ogden, Rowlands. Subs: Marshall for O'Grady (15 mins); Flannery for Rowlands (73 mins).
DERRY CITY: Platt, McCallion, Hargan, Hutton, Curran, McCann, Doherty, Hegarty, Coyle, Beckett, McHugh. Subs: Gauld for Hegarty (61 mins); Gilmour for Coyle (86 mins).
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
