Derry City’s terrible current form continued, as lowly Bohemians earned a point at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
City, who trailed to Archie Meekison’s first half goal, had Pat Hoban to thank for a share of the spoils, as his powerful header cancelled out Bohs’ opener.
In truth, the Candy Stripes’ dreadful league form, which is now one league win in eight matches, certainly isn’t title winning form and if they aren’t too careful they may even miss out on a top three place.
However in what has been a crazy league, Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men know three points at home to Sligo Rovers in front of the RTÉ cameras on Monday night, would move them above Shelbourne into top spot.
Bohs, who never had a shot on target throughout last week’s FAI Cup semi-final, went close after just three minutes but Dayle Rooney’s stinging drive was parried over his bar by Brian Maher.
After scoring a wonderful free-kick against Alan Reynolds’ men last Friday evening, he went close again with another set-play, this time on 10 minutes his stunning effort from 25 yards was tipped over by Kacper Chorazka.
Duffy’s resulting corner found Pat Hoban at the near post, but after bursting into the box unmarked the striker failed to hit the target and headed wide from close range.
Bohs captain Jordan Flores on 14 minutes as the former Dundalk man cleared Paul McMullan’s effort off the line, after the winger’s close range shot had beaten Chorazka.
The Dalymount men broke the deadlock somewhat against the run of play on 19 minutes as Archie Meekison turned home Rooney’s low left wing cross at the back post, to silence the Brandywell.
The home side went close to equalising soon after as Will Patching burst in behind the Bohs back-line, but his close range shot was kept out by a diving Chorazka.
Chorazka was called into action on 40 minutes as Ben Doherty’s pile driver from the edge of the box was well gathered by the Polish keeper.
Derry were forced into a change just before the hour mark as Ben Doherty seemed to pull his right hamstring and had to be replaced by Daniel Mullen.
The home side were lucky not to be reduced to ten men on 59 minutes as Andre Wisdom’s under hit back pass would have released Adam McDonnell, but the ex-Liverpool man pulled him down when he would only have had Maher to beat, however referee Neil Doyle only showed him a yellow card, after he awarded the free-kick.
That bit of luck seemed to spark Derry and they equalised on 61 minutes as Hoban rose superbly to powerfully head home Duffy’s out-swinging right wing corner.
Derry should have taken the lead on 77 minutes as substitute Daniel Mullen put in an inch perfect cross for his fellow Scot McMullan, but with Chorazka to beat the winger’s side foot shot from close range hit the post.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Mark Connolly, Andre Wisdom, Ben Doherty (Daniel Mullen 55); Sadou Diallo, Adam O’Reilly, Will Patching (Ciaran Coll 61); Michael Duffy, Pat Hoban, Paul McMullan (Sean Robertson 88).
Bohemians: Kacper Chorazka, Patrick Kirk, Jevon Mills, Cian Byrne, Jordan Flores (Jake Carroll 76); Adam McDonnell, Dawson Devoy; Archie Meekison (Daniel Grant 70), Ross Tierney, Dayle Rooney (Brian McManus 85); James Clarke (Filip Piszczek 76). Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
