Derry City's 0-0 draw with Drogheda United appears to have passed the advantage to Shelbourne in the race for the 2006 Premier Division title.
Shels defeated UCD at Belfield while the 'Candy Stripes' failed for the second time in as many weeks to overcome Paul Doolin's men.
The Dubliners are now six points clear at the top and while Derry still hold a match in hand, much will depend on what happens at the Brandywell when the top two meet next Tuesday night.
While Derry clearly dominated the second half last night, the controversial dismissal of striker, Kevin McHugh, certainly didn't help their cause.
The referee, signalled by one of his assistants in the 73rd minute, immediately flashed a red card to the Donegal man for what could only have been an off-the-ball altercation.
But despite their numerical inferiority, the 'Candy Stripes' continued to push forward in search of a much needed victory.
The best chance of the opening half actually fell to Drogheda midfielder, Gavin Whelan, who was sent clear by Declan O'Brien but Derry keeper, David Forde, came to the rescue when saving with his legs in the 27th minute.
But after the break, Derry started to dominate, Drogheda happy to place large numbers behind the ball and attempt to break in search of the all-important goal.
After the break when Deery forced Drogheda keeper, Dan Connor, to dive full stretch across the face to his goal to turn the low shot around his post.
And Derry went so close to breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute when Farren's cross was headed onto the post by McHugh as the 'Candy Stripes' continued to push forward.
Gareth McGlynn really should have broken the deadlock in the 69th minute but he blasted the ball into the side netting when well placed.
With McHugh dismissed in the 73rd minute, Drogheda had a great chance to open the scoring when Declan O'Brien ghosted in on the blind side of the home defence but his angled shot was tame and Forde gathered the ball with ease.
Derry City: Forde; McCallion, Kelly, Hutton, Hargan; McGlynn, Deery, Martyn (McCourt, 71 mins.), O'Flynn (Holmes, 50 mins.); McHugh, Farren (Brown, 87 mins.).
Drogheda United: Connor; Shelley, Gartland, Gavin, Gray; Whelan (Lynch, 82 mins.), Robinson, Keegan, Barrett (Webb, 22 mins.); Fitzpatrick (Ristilla, 92), O'Brien.
Referee: Mr. Paul McKeon (Dublin).
