Derry City were denied a win and three points after Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Alan Mannus saved a penalty on Friday night (kick off 7.45 pm).
The veteran net-minder kept out Will Patching’s first half penalty and also made a big save to deny Michael Duffy, as the home side dominated things after the break at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ side were always on the front foot in the second half, but with a bit more luck they would have deservedly claimed the victory.
The Candystripes were always a threat but for Mannus and the woodwork they would have closed the gap on the champions at the top of the table.
On 23 minutes a teasing Dylan Watts’ left wing corner was floated into the six yard box, but Sean Hoare’s glancing header, which had Brian Maher beaten, flashed just wide.
City missed a golden chance to take the lead on 37 minutes after referee Paul McLaughlin eventually awarded a penalty after Lee Grace had handled inside the box.
Derry City players celebrate after referee Paul McLaughlin awarded a penalty in their favour
After Rovers’ protests were waved away, the usually reliable Patching saw his side-footed effort from 12 yards saved by Mannus, the Rovers keeper diving low to his left to keep out the tame strike.
The league leaders were forced into a change on 48 minutes as Burke had to be replaced by Jack Byrne and that change didn’t affect the visitors as minutes later Sean Kavanagh saw his left-footed strike from the edge of the box saved by a diving Maher.
The home side made a double change themselves on 57 minutes with James Akintunde and Duffy replacing Jamie McGonigle and Declan Glass and that energy sparked City into life.
In fact they were inches away from taking the lead as Patching found Duffy, but the ex-Dundalk man’s close range side-footed strike was superbly tipped around his left hand post by Mannus.
Derry were denied by the woodwork on 65 minutes as Patrick McEleney picked out Ryan Graydon, but the right winger’s low angled drive, which had Mannus beaten, came back off the post and the keeper kept out McEleney’s follow-up effort.
Patching drew another save out of Mannus on 82 minutes, this time the talented midfielder saw his left footed strike gathered by the ex-Northern Ireland international.
Right at the death Patching’s left wing corner found Ciaran Coll, but the defender’s glancing header, which had Mannus scrambling, whistled just past Mannus’ left hand post.
Next up for City is an away trip to eight-placed Drogheda Utd on Friday, August 19 (Kick off 7.45pm).
Derry City: Brian Maher, Cameron Dummigan, Mark Connolly, Cameron McJannet, Ciaran Coll; Sadou Diallo, Patrick McEleney, Will Patching; Declan Glass (Michael Duffy 57), Jamie McGonigle (James Akintunde 57), Ryan Graydon (Cian Kavanagh 71).
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus, Sean Gannon, Sean Hoare, Lee Grace; Neil Farrugia (Daniel Cleary 71), Dylan Watts (Aaron Greene 71), Gary O’Neill, Sean Kavanagh (Richie Towell 79), Andy Lyons; Graham Burke (Jack Byrne 51), Rory Gaffney (Aidomo Emakhu 79).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
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