Derry City close gap on leaders as late Pat Hoban penalty denies Shamrock Rovers at Brandywell

PAT Hoban fired home a 92nd minute penalty to clinch a precious point for Derry City against Shamrock Rovers at Brandywell which closed the gap on the leaders to three points with six games to go.

With Shelbourne slipping up at Galway, Rovers looked like they were right back in the title race and on their way to a third successive win as the game entered stoppage time on Foyleside.

Dylan Watts curled a superb strike into the bottom corner on 25 minutes - a goal which would've taken them to within five points of the leaders and one behind Derry.

However, Derry - who were denied a clear penalty on 65 minutes when Dan Cleary handled inside the box - fought back to earn a morale-boosting point against the champions.

Substitute Patrick McEleney went down inside the penalty area after a challenge from Josh Honohan and match referee Damien MacGraith pointed to the spot.

Hoban grabbed the ball and fired into the bottom corner for his 14th goal of the season and his most important yet in a Derry shirt.

Buoyed by last weekend's superb 2-0 victory over Shelbourne in the FAI Cup quarter-final, Derry came racing out of the blocks and Will Patching's free-kick hit the wall from the edge of the penalty area after five minutes.

From the resultant corner the ball was eventually worked towards Paul McMullan who dragged his shot across goal and wide of the far post.

The first shot on target arrived on 24 minutes when Ciaran Coll tried his luck from 25 yards but Leon Pohls saved comfortably.

Despite Derry's early dominance it was the visitors who struck first on 26 minutes.

Johnny Kenny cut inside Andre Wisdom and squared the ball to Watts who drifted inside the Derry box and he curled his right footed strike expertly into the bottom corner beyond Brian Maher.

From an inswinging Patching corner Mark Connolly rose highest but his wayward header sailed out for a goal kick.

Derry came so close to an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Ronan Boyce did brilliantly to win possession 30 yards from the Rovers' goal and when he slotted into the path of Michael Duffy, the winger flashed his strike from an angle agonisingly wide of the far post.

Rovers went in with the advantage at the break and it was the 22nd occasion in 30 league games Derry failed to score in the first half this term!

With Shelbourne trailing in Galway, Derry needed a big second half performance.

Danny Mandroiu tested Maher with a thunderous free-kick from the edge of the Derry box 10 minutes into the second half after Kenny was brought down by Connolly.

Derry had the ball in the back of the Rovers net on 62 minutes when Connolly arrowed his header from McMullan's cross into the top corner but it was ruled out for offside.

At the other end Honohan crossed dangerously into the Derry area and Mandroiu screwed his first time shot from 12 yards high and wide.

There were big claims from the Derry players for a handball ojm 65 minutes when Mullen's cross was put behind for a corner by the outstretched arm of Cleary but the referee waved away the protests.

Rovers looked like they were on their way to reigniting their five in a row challenge when Derry sub, Patrick McEleney went down just inside the penalty area after a challenge from Honohan.

This time Mr MacGraith pointed to the spot. Up stepped Hoban who slotted into the bottom corner for his first goal in eight to set up a grandstand finish with six minutes of stoppage time added.

Rovers held on for the point in the end as Derry finished strongest but the final whistle was welcomed by a huge roar from the home support.

Derry City: B. Maher, R. Boyce, M. Connolly, A. Wisdom, C. Coll (S. Robertson 78); S. Diallo (P. McEleney 65), A. O’Reilly, W. Patching (J. Davenport 78); P. McMullan (P. Hoban 65), D. Mullen (C. Whelan 78), M. Duffy.

Shamrock Rovers: L. Pohls; D. Cleary, R. Lopes, L. Grace; J. Honohan, D. Watts, G. O’Neill, J. Byrne (G. Burke 66), N. Farrugia; D. Mandroiu (D. Nugent 86); J. Kenny (M. McNulty 75).

Referee: Damien MacGraith.