Cork City 1 Derry City 1 Cork City salvaged a precious point in their efforts to clinch second place in the Eircom League and a spot in next season's UEFA Cup when they scored an equaliser from a disputed penalty three minutes into added time at Turner's Cross last night.
Cork extended their winning run to nine matches but their inability to win meant that the way is now clear for Shelbourne to clinch the championship title if they beat Longford Town at Flancare Park tonight.
After a largely uneventful first half, Derry City looked to have secured the points with a commanding second-half performance, set up by Conor O'Grady's goal in the 51st minute.
Davy Byrne and Alan Murphy combined on the right-wing and when the ball was played into the penalty area Ciarán Martyn deceived the Cork defence by stepping over the ball for O'Grady to close on it and fire a low shot under Devine from 15 yards in the 51st minute.
Derry though were undone three minutes into added time. Liam Kearney's pass set up a race for the ball between Kevin Doyle and Derry keeper Robert Ford. Forde dived and appeared to get a touch but as Doyle tumbled over him the referee indicated a penalty. Doyle sent Forde the wrong way as he converted the penalty to give Cork a lucky draw.
CORK CITY; Devine; Horgan, Bennett, Murray, O'Halloran (Fenn 78 mins); Woods, Gamble, O'Callaghan (Lopes 61 mins), Kearney; Doyle, O'Flynn (Behan 78 mins).
DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Hutton (McLaughlin 29 mins), McChrystal, Brennan; Deery, Byrne, Doherty, O'Grady (Beckett 88 mins); Murphy, Martyn.
Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).
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