Teenager Gary Shanahan came to Dundalk's rescue as he secured a 1-1 Aitricity League Premier Division draw against Cork City at Oriel Park.
The boy from Limerick restored parity in the 61st minute when he raced on to a wonderful pass from Chris Shields to place the ball wide of Mark McNulty to inch the Lilywhites four points clear of bottom club UCD.
Cork had taken a one-goal lead into the break thanks to Ian Turner's 21st minute strike, and the Leesiders were left aggrieved when they were denied an injury-time penalty.
Dundalk were out to try and put an eight-game winless streak to bed, and manager Darius Kierans handed first starts to former Monaghan United defender Paul Whelan and ex-Drogheda United midfielder Mark O'Brien.
The Leesiders arrived on the back of three draws on the bounce, and Tommy Dunne had to plan without the injured Colin Healy, Graham McCarthy and Cathal Lordan. Striker Keigan Parker also missed out through suspension.
A quiet opening 15 minutes meant both goalkeepers were rarely called into action.
Dundalk's only move of note came when Paul Walsh and Marc Griffin combined to set up the well placed Michael Rafter but his cross was disappointing.
At the other end, Turner had already sent over two dangerous crosses from the right wing which Peter Cherrie had to gather before his 21st minute opener.
Dundalk left-back Nathan Murphy looked to be favourite to deal with Davin O'Neill's hopeful pass into space but Turner showed good strength to bully his opponent off the ball and he fired his shot past Cherrie from eight-yards out.
Murphy did his best to atone for the error, and he forced Cork City goalkeeper Mark McNulty into a save with a 25-yard free-kick in the 32nd minute. And from Murphy's resulting corner, Shanahan saw his header blocked on the post by Neal Horgan.
Dundalk's left flank looked vulnerable and Turner gave Murphy more bother in the 36th minute, fizzing a ball across goal which Daryl Horgan could only steer well off target and five minutes later he was away again but this time his cross evaded the green shirts in the box.
The home crowd were given some encouragement five minutes after the restart. Murphy was urged to carry the ball forward and after his first cross was blocked, he picked out Marc Griffin with his second attempt only for the striker to screw it well off target. Shields then saw a deflected effort gathered by McNulty.
Kierans added to the momentum by introducing another new addition, Lorcan Shannon, who was signed on loan from Shamrock Rovers during the week, and Dundalk were back on level terms in the 61st minute.
Shields was the creator - his pinpoint pass catching out City right-back Neal Horgan - and Shanahan was rewarded for making a wonderful run in behind by placing the ball wide of McNulty for his fourth league goal of the season.
Both sides went for the jugular late on with chances falling at either goalmouth, but a point apiece was a fair result in the end.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Ben McLaughlin, Derek Foran, Paul Whelan, Nathan Murphy; Paul Walsh (Lorcan Shannon, 59 mins), Chris Shields, Mark O'Brien (Stephen McDonnell, 69), Gary Shanahan; Marc Griffin, Michael Rafter.
Cork City: Mark McNulty; Neal Horgan (Gearóid Morrissey, 78 mins), Dan Murray, Kevin Murray, Danny Murphy; Ian Turner, Shane Duggan, John Dunleavy, Daryl Horgan; Davin O'Neill (Stephen Kenny, 73), Vinny Sullivan (Andy O'Connell, 84).
Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).
