Derry City went top of the eircom League Premier Division on goal-difference following a 1-1 draw with St Pat’s at Richmond Park.
But Pat's, who could have gone top with a win, will feel hard done by having had enough chances to take all three points.
Barry Molloy put The Candystripes ahead early in the first half but Paul Keegan claimed a point for the home side on 60 minutes.
No matter what happened, one of the two sides were guarantee first position in the table with a win (Derry clear at the top or Pat’s on goal-difference) while a draw would put Derry top on goal difference.
Both sides started with great gusto and Derry took the lead on just six minutes.
Following good build up work from Ken Oman and Killian Brennan, Barry Molloy unleashed a fantastic low drive from left of the box that powered past Pat's keeper Barry Ryan and into the bottom left corner of the net.
Barry Molloy collected a Killian Brennan knock on from the left and fired a low and hard left footed strike past Pat's keeper Barry Ryan from left of the box.
Pat's fought back and Trevor Molloy put a fine free-kick just over the bar on 23.
Stephen O'Flynn could have doubled the Derry lead on 24 but Ryan saved his goal bound effort.
Pat's John Frost tried his luck with a free from 25 yards out on 28 minutes but Derry keeper David Forde got down well to make the save.
Pat's had the most of the possession for the rest of the half as Derry failed to build on their good start.
The home side started off the second half where they had finished the first with Molloy hitting the upright on 50 minutes.
The hard work paid off for Pat’s on 60 minutes when Keegan put them back on level terms. Forde cleanly grasped a Molloy cross but the Derry keeper then dropped the ball and Keegan shot past him from close range.
