Karl O'Connell rescued a deserved point for Monaghan as Ulster champions Derry were held in a thrilling All Ireland Series Group 4 clash.
Ciaran Meenagh's men looked leggy only 13 days after lifting the Anglo Celt Cup, but appeared to have dug an unlikely victory when Shane McGuigan, who finished with 0-9, fired over a monster free three minutes into injury-time.
Monaghan never panicked though and despite the clock reading the full 75 minutes worked O'Connell and he showed nerves of steel to split the posts and ensure both sides would remain unbeaten.
Derry made one change from the side that started the Ulster final two weeks ago, penalty hero Ciaran McFaul coming in with Benny Heron dropping to the bench and it facilitated a slight change in shape for the Oak Leafers, Niall Toner pushed further inside to occupy the foraging 'Heron' role.
Monaghan for their part, welcomed back Ryan McAnespie who provided the Farney with a different dimension in attack.
And four weeks to the days since the two counties met in their one-sided provincial semi-final, Monaghan showed they had taken plenty of learning from Healy Park as they turned around at the break 0-7 to 0-6 ahead.
Derry's main issue was a defensive line that met the Farney too deep.
Three times in the opening half Monaghan were able to take points from unchallenged shots inside the Derry '45' but there was little between the teams in the opening 35 minutes.
Six times the teams were level before the break, Monaghan's ability to stop - not always within the rules of the game- the Derry break meant the visitors were able to stifle Derry and scores had to be of the highest quality at both ends.
McFaul's kicked things off with a lovely effort on two minutes and from there a fascinating tactical battle was continuously punctuated but some score taking of the highest order.
Gary Mohan equalised with a great score under pressure and from there the game was into a tit-for-tat half in which neither county could fully assert any dominance.
A McGuigan free was cancelled out by Dessie Ward before McGuigan then edged Derry back in front with a mark. Not to be outdone the impressive Michael Bannigan hit a superb equaliser from distance.
Again McGuigan, who finished the opening half with 0-4, scored but again Monaghan found the response, Conor McCarthy splitting the posts with a lovely effort off the outside of his left boot.
Monaghan first led on 24 minutes with a Bannigan effort that looked suspiciously the wrong of the post and behind for the first time, Derry responded through McGuigan once more.
Shane Carey and Niall Toner swapped scores before a McKinless foul on Ward presented Conor McCarthy with an easy free to give the Farney that slender interval advantage.
Conor Boyle extended that lead within seconds of the restart and while McGuigan responded though a free, the decisions were going against Derry and Monaghan had a measure of control for the first time despite a black card for Mohan who scythed down Gareth McKinless as he broke clear on goal.
Points from Carey and Bannigan (free) opened up a 0-12 to 0-9 lead for the Farney men despite being a man down and Derry looked in trouble.
Derry management responded by introducing Benny Heron, Padraig Cassidy and Lachlan Murray and the latter responded with a point off his first touch for 0-12 to 0-10.
From there it was game on, Derry holding Monaghan scoreless for 14 minutes into injury time as they chipped away at the Farney lead.
Victory would have been getting out of jail for the Ulster champions and O'Connell ensured there'd be no free pass.
Derry: Odhran Lynch; Chrissy McKaigue, Eoin McEvoy, Conor McCluskey; Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Nigel Toner (0-2, 1f), Paul Cassidy, Ethan Doherty (0-1); Ciaran McFaul (0-1), Shane McGuigan (0-9, 6f, 1m), Niall Loughlin
Subs: Benny Heron for N Toner, 55mins; Lachlan Murray (0-1) for N Loughlin, 56mins; Padraig Cassidy for P McGrogan (0-1), 58mins;
Monaghan: Rory Beggan (0-2, 2f),; Ryan O'Toole, Kieran Duffy, Ryan Wylie (0-1); Karl O’Connell (0-1), Conor Boyle (0-1), Conor McCarthy (0-3, 1f); Karl Gallagher, Killian Lavelle; Stephen O’Hanlon, Michael Bannigan (0-3, 1f), Dessie Ward; Shane Carey (0-2), Gary Mohan (0-1), Ryan McAnespie
Subs: Darren Hughes for G Mohan, 61mins; Darragh McElearney for S Carey, 64mins; Conor McManus for K Gallagher, 68mins; Kieran Hughes for K Lavelle, 69mins; Jack McCarron for D Wards, 74mins;
Referee: N Mooney (Cavan)
