Derry City 2-2 Finn Harps
Derry City and Finn Harps played out an entertaining North-West derby and had to settle for a share of spoils.
Harps, who led thanks to Ryan Curran's first-half header, thought they had lost the game when Joshua Daniels and Rory Patterson's late goals seemed to have broken their hearts, but Sean Houston nodded home a stoppage-time leveller against his old club.
WATCH:
— Setanta Sports (@SetantaSports) May 10, 2016
Here's how Sean Houston headed a 91st minute equaliser in the #NorthWestDerby! #SetantaLOI https://t.co/2dl1PimUmX
Harps took the lead on 20 minutes when a patient build-up resulted in Dave Scully's right-hand strike being tipped onto the bar by City goalkeeper Gerard Doherty. However, the loose ball fell perfectly for Ryan Curran to head home.
Derry had a half-chance to level things moments later but Barry McNamee's shot from the edge of the box was kept out by Harps keeper Ciaran Gallagher.
The home side continued to push forward looking for an equaliser and they should have tied it up on 28 minutes after Rory Patterson got clear of the Harps defence, but his chip over the outrushing Gallagher sailed wide.
Gallagher had to make a smart save right on the stroke of half-time when he kept out Ronan Curtis' 25-yard strike.
Derry certainly upped the tempo in the second half and they should have equalised on the hour but, after a terrific passing move, Keith Ward's shot was easily kept out by Gallagher.
Minutes later, Gallagher had to make another save - this time he did well to keep out Ronan Curtis' strike.
Derry deservedly drew level on 83 minutes when substitute Nathan Boyle's right-wing cross flashed across the six-yard-box and substitute Daniels fired home from close range.
They then took the lead on 88 minutes in style when Daniels' pass found Patterson, who turned his man before firing high past Gallagher.
Just as Derry thought they had won all three points Harps levelled things in the 91st minute thanks a fantastic header from Houston.
Derry City: Doherty, Vemmelund, McBride, Barry, McClean (Jarvis H-T); McCormack, McEneff; Curtis (Boyle 78), McNamee, Ward (Daniels 78); Patterson.
Finn Harps: Gallagher, McNulty, Cowan, Mailey, Coll; Hanlon (Funston 86), Molloy (McHugh) 90), Houston, McNamee (Boyle 74), Curran, Scully.
Referee: Mr Neil Doyle (Dublin)
