Goalkeepers Graham Doyle and Ger Doherty were the stars of the show at Ferrycarrig Park as this SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash finished scoreless.
It was nonetheless a valuable point for both sides in their respective quests at either end of the table.
The result means Wexford edge to within four points of Finn Harps, who lost at home to Longford Town, in their battle to get out of the relegation play-off place.
Third-placed Derry won’t be too displeased with a point either as Shamrock Rovers’ defeat at Cork City sees Kenny Shiels’ side move three points ahead of the Dubliners as they look to qualify for Europe.
Both sides rang the changes from last week’s meeting in the quarter-final of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup, which Derry won 3-1.
Youths made four switches to their starting eleven with Andrew O’Connor in at left-back and Stephen Last, Andy Mulligan and Shane Dempsey coming into the centre of the park.
Derry, who had both Dean Jarvis and Aron McEneff suspended, made three changes with Austrian Max Karner returning from injury to their central defence as Harry Monaghan and Nathan Boyle came into midfield as Shiels switched to a 4-4-2 line-up.
The visitors almost had a sensational start with a chance inside the first minute; Boyle’s pace enabling him burst through to see his shot saved by the feet of Doyle.
Youths’ response was positive as they laid virtual siege to the Derry goal from a succession of long throws and corners, hitting the woodwork on nine minutes.
Derry failed to deal with an O’Connor corner and Eric Molloy saw his right-foot volley come back off the crossbar.
But it was Doyle back at the other end on 20 minutes who was the keeper worked again as he raced out to save, first from Boyle, before defecting Barry McNamee’s follow-up out for a corner.
In an open game, Doyle made a clumsy save from Boyle’s low drive before Rory Patterson had a goal disallowed for offside on 31 minutes.
Just a minute later, Youths were inches from taking the lead with the move of the first half. Craig McCabe’s throw was worked on by Paul Murphy and Aidan Keenan for Bonner whose dipping volley was just one the top.
Doherty then came to Derry’s rescue on 38 minutes with a brilliant save at the feet of Youths’ striker Murphy who had raced through on goal.
The chances kept coming into the second half, with Derry winger Lucas Schubert getting in on goal to shoot into the side netting a minute in.
Derry were in again inside a further two minutes, this time, though, it was Boyle who shot wide.
The goalkeepers then swapped terrific reflex saves as the game continued to somehow remain scoreless.
First up was Doyle who stopped Boyle’s shot on the turn with his feet after Schubert did well on the right to cross.
Doherty then went full stretch to palm away a shot from Bonner following a delightful, dribbling run by O’Connor.
And the Derry keeper was there again in stoppage at the death to tip over a drive from Molloy.
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Craig McCabe, Gary Delaney (Jonny Bonner 20), Stephen Last, Lee Grace; Andy Mulligan, Shane Dempsey (Chris Kenny 90+1), Eric Molloy, Andrew O’Connor; Aidan Keenan, Paul Murphy (Eoin Porter 83).
Derry City: Ger Doherty; Conor McDermott, Niclas Vemmelund, Max Karner, Ben Doherty; Lucas Schubert, Harry Monaghan (Rory Holden 87), Conor McCormack, Barry McNamee; Nathan Boyle (Josh Daniels 71), Rory Patterson.
Referee: Tomas Connolly (Dublin).
