Derry City secure point after dull draw at Ballybofey

FOR the second time this season, Derry City were fortunate to get a point in the North West derby, as they were second best against Finn Harps.

Harps, who are struggling at the bottom of the table, had the better chances particularly in the second half and Declan Devine's side were poor after the break.

The Candy Stripes never threatened Mark Anthony McGinley's goal in the second half and only for a Darren Cole clearance off the line, the Donegal men would have deservedly collected the points.

The Brandywell side's performance simply wasn't good enough and if they continue in their current form they will be dragged into a relegation scrap before the season comes to an end.

Derry made four changes to their side which defeated Drogheda United a few weeks ago, with Ciaron Harkin, Jack Malone, Walter Figueira and Stephen Mallon all coming into the starting line-up.

Harps had the first half-chance on 13 minutes when Shane McEleney's long throw-in fell to Karl O'Sullivan his 20 yard drive took a deflection on it's way past Peter Cherrie's left hand post.

A super left wing cross by Figueira should have resulted in the visitors taking the lead on 22 minutes but James Akintunde, failed to get a touch when unmarked inside the six yard box and the ball whistled across the box and past Mark Anthony McGinley's left hand post.

Minutes later a Jack Malone corner from the left fell kindly for Darren Cole, but the big defender blazed well over from the penalty spot.

Derry continued to dominate things and they went close again when another passing move ended with Figueira feeding Malone, but the midfielder's 25 yard flew well over.

A clever free-kick on the half-hour by Harps saw Barry McNamee feed O'Sulivan and his teasing right wing cross found Alexander Kogler, but the big striker's header from 10 yards failed to test Cherrie.

Moments later a terrible throw-in by Cole, who was trying to find Cameron McJannet, but the ball only found Kogler, who raced in on goal, but just as he was pulling the trigger, Eoin Toal got back to make a tremendous goal saving challenge to divert the ball away for a corner.

The Brandywell men thought they had taken an early lead after the break, but Akintunde's curling free-kick from 20 yards, which had McGinley's beaten, flew just inches wide.

Harps should have taken the lead themselves on 47 minutes as a poor clearance by Cherrie fell straight to Barry McNamee, who in turn found Kogler inside the box, but the big striker's close range strike was saved by the Derry keeper.

On 54 minutes a Dave Webster cross from the left, again caused problems for Cherrie, as he was out-jumped by centre-back Stephen Folan, but fortunately for the keeper Cole got back to boot the ball off the line.

Harps created a good opening on 71 minutes as Mark Russell easily got away from Ciaran Coll inside the Derry box, but just as he was about to shoot, a back tracking Stephen Mallon nipped in to concede a corner.

That man Russell missed another golden chance moments later as a more hungry Tony McNamee picked up a loose ball, before feeding the Scottish winger, but he was denied by an out-rushing Cherrie, the City keeper spreading himself well to make the save.

Finn Harps: McGinley, McEleney, Webster, Folan, Todd; O'Sullivan, R Harkin (Donnellan HT), B McNamee, (G Harkin 89), Connolly (T McNamee 68); Russell (Serrant-Green 84), Kogler (Foley 84).

Derry City: Cherrie, Cole, Toal, McJannet, Coll; McCormack, Malone (Horgan 81), Harkin; Figueira (Hammill 73), Akintunde (Meite 62), Mallon.

Referee: Damien McGrath (Dublin).