Derry City’s title quest suffers blow after Bohemians strike back to draw

Bohemians 2 Derry City 2

Danny Mullen (right) of Derry City celebrates after scoring his side's second goal

Derry City and Bohemians played out an entertaining draw at Dalymount Park, but it was Shamrock Rovers who were the real winners last night.

The champions defeated Dundalk at Tallaght and were able to sit back and watch two of their rivals drop points after a 45-minute delay due to floodlight problems at Dalymount.

When the game did start, it was Bohs who were straight at Derry City throats, and the home side should have opened the scoring after just two minutes of play.

A recycled cross from a corner found Jordan Flores unmarked at the back post and his header back across goal saw the ball eventually fall perfectly for Jonathan Afolabi, but the striker somehow missed the ball entirely with the whole net to aim at from six yards.

Bohs got their reward for such a bright start when they took the lead just 13 minutes into the game.

Paddy Kirk’s through-ball split the Derry defence completely, and James Clarke held off the challenge of Mark Connolly to race through and place the ball past Brian Maher to make it 1-0.

Derry City then lost Connolly to injury, the centre-half not able to shake off an earlier knock, and he was replaced by Shane McEleney.

To their credit, City’s response to that horrible period was emphatic as they levelled the game with their first real attack.

Will Patching’s nutmeg set Michael Duffy away and following an exchange of passes with Paul McMullan in the area, Duffy smashed a shot past James Talbot from close range for his eighth goal of the season.

City now had the momentum in this match, and they should have taken the lead on the half-hour. A great reverse pass from Patching put Danny