Derry City's failure to break down a resolute Sligo Rovers at the Brandywell cost the Candystripes the lead of the Premier Division after just one week on top.
And Paul Cook's men were considered good value for the share of the spoils, their workrate and honest endeavour the main feature of their play as Derry began to lose patience in the front line.
Indeed, the departure of Derry's star midfielder, Paddy McCourt, due to an injury after just 31 minutes didn't help the cause of the home side but the visitors refused to allow their hosts any time or space when in possession.
That said, Stephen Kenny's high-flying troops had no shortage of possession but they were constantly closed down by an industrious Sligo midfield which refused to give an inch.
Derry continued to huff and puff, spreading the play at every opportunity but that vital break never arrived and Sligo keeper Richard Brush had just one serious save to make throughout the proceedings.
That incident occurred as early as the 11th minute when Derry winger Owen Morrison floated a cross into Conor Sammon and while the striker aimed a firm header at the target, Brush rose majestically to sweep the ball over his crossbar.
A Ruaidhri Higgins header was blocked on the goal-line by Brian Cash while Owen Morrison crashed a free-kick off the Sligo crossbar two minutes from the end of the first half.
Sligo’s only noteworthy effort in that period centred on a Romauld Boco shot which ballooned high over the crossbar.
Following the change of ends, Sligo’s Brian Cash and Conor O’Grady failed to hit the target while Derry’s Molloy drove the ball into the side netting when well placed in the 57th minute.
But Derry continued to force Sligo on to the back foot for long periods afterwards, however their failure to get behind a resolute visiting defence cost the home side dearly.
Higgins had a thunderous shot charged down inside the penalty area as the home side continued to push forward during the closing stages.
Derry substitute Kevin McHugh went close to breaking the deadlock five minutes from the end, but his low drive screamed agonisingly wide of the upright with Brush beaten.
Derry City – Doherty; McGlynn, Hutton , Gray; McCourt (McGinn, 31 mins.), Molloy (Martyn, 68), Higgins, Morrison ; McGlynn, Sammon.
Sligo Rovers – Brush; Coleman, Almeida, Peers, Butler; Cash, Ventre, O’Grady, Moore (Murphy, 58 mins.); Boco, Feeney (Judge, 63 mins.)
Referee – Mr D Hanney (Dublin).
