Linfield 1-1 Derry City

Tam McManus sent Derry City to the top of the Setanta Cup Group Three table as he netted an 85th minute equaliser against Linfield at Windsor Park.

And Linfield will be furious with the result having deservedly led 1-0 from the 14th minute.

Having already been held 1-1 by St. Pat's at the Brandywell in the first match, Derry will be relieved to have shared the spoils as the home side squandered quite a few clear-cut scoring opportunities.

For so long it appeared that Linfield would record their opening win in the competition having broken the deadlock in the 14th minute but the 'Blues' failed to build on that advantage.

In what was a poor game overall - both sides absent regular first team players - Linfield deserved their opening goal having started the brighter.

Following a free-kick, Linfield's Michael Carvill received the ball on the right and his centre saw Paul Munster rise majestically to head the ball into the corner.

Derry fought back but Mark Farren blasted an effort over the crossbar in the 23rd minute before Derry were presented with a superb opportunity to level matters from the penalty spot.

Gareth McGlynn raced into the penalty area before he was brought crashing down to earth by Aaron Burns and referee, Alan Black, immediately pointed to the spot.

However, former Linfield striker Tommy Stewart's spotkick was superbly saved by the alert Alan Blayney when driving to his right.

Derry lost the services of skipper, Peter Hutton, at half-time with Kevin Deery entering the fray but Linfield really should have doubled their lead in the 52nd minute.

Munster dispossessed Ger O'Brien before finding Mark Miskimmin who set up Billy Joe Burns but with only the keeper to beat, the Linfield midfielder struck a tame shot and Doherty saved comfortably.

Derry failed to seriously trouble the Linfield keeper and when Stewart played a great ball through for Gareth McGlynn in the 80th minute, the winger directed his shot at a relieved Blayney and he chance was lost.

However, with five minutes remaining Ruaidhri Higgins lofted a ball into the penalty area and with the Linfield defence appealing for offside, McManus stole in to drive a low shot into the corner.

Making matters worse for Linfield was the sending off of team boss, David Jeffrey, following his vehement protests to the referee.

Derry City - 4-4-2 - Doherty; McCallion, McEleney, Hutton (Deery, h-t), O'Brien; McGlynn, Martyn (Martyn, 64), Higgins, Kearney; Farren (Scullion, 77), Stewart.

Linfield - 4-4-2 - Blayney; Ervin, Douglas, Lindsay, A. Burns (Curran, 84); Carvill, B. Burns, Lowry, Tomelty; Miskimmin (Allen, 70), Munster (McHugh, 70).

Referee - Mr. Alan Black (Antrim).