The Showgrounds remains an unhappy hunting ground for Derry City as they failed to beat Sligo Rovers away from home at the fifth attempt.
The Candystripes need to go back to August 2021 for their last victory on the banks of the Garavogue as again, the Brandywell outfit were left frustrated by the Bit O'Red in what was a scrappy encounter.
Adding to Derry's woes was the loss of Patrick McEleney and Cameron Dummigan, both of whom were forced off with knocks.
The result means Derry miss the chance to go top of the Premier Division table, while Sligo will see this as one point gained.
With the exception of John Mahon, set to miss the next few months with a serious achilles injury, Rovers boss John Russell was afforded the luxury of choosing from a fully fit squad for the second game running. The Galway native electing to keep faith in the same team that picked up a point from Dalymount Park a week previous.
City boss Ruaidhri Higgins made two changes to the side that beat Drogheda on the opening evening of the season. Defender Sam Todd making his first appearance of the year, while the influential McEleney recovered from a groin strain in time to take his place in the starting XI.
Revisiting the ground where their respective title charges effectively came to an end in both 2022 and 2023, City quenched Sligo's early exuberance before creating the game's opening chance three minutes in.
Sloppy positioning in the centre of the Rovers defence allowed Pat Hoban easily pick out Will Patching in plenty of space inside the Sligo area. The former Dundalk man showing what may be some early season rustiness as he wastefully skied his rushed effort from 15 yards out.
Rovers' on loan goalkeeper Ed McGinty was the busier of the two net-minders in a cagey opening half, although neither team really tested the other from here until the break.
Cameron McJannett's header across the face of goal was swiped away from of an in-coming Derry player by McGinty 13 minutes in after McJannett had turned Patching's free towards the target. While at the far end, the sting was taken off Conor Malley's effort on the spin when the midfielder's drive at goal was deflected off a City shin and safely into Brian Maher's gloves ten minutes later.
A scrappy encounter continued towards the interval as Derry were forced twice into a re-think with both McEleney and Cameron Dummigan withdrawn with injuries. The former limped off with what looked like the re-occurrence of a troublesome groin issue. While worryingly, Dummigan needed a stretcher to leave the field.
Sligo's Simon Power had the only other sight of goal before the break. His free-kick from the edge of the D rolling past the Derry post, with Maher looking to have the situation under control.
An eager looking Derry began the second period on the front foot and were inches away from an opener five minutes in. Michael Duffy's directness saw him drive inside before unleashing a curling effort which took a touch off Rovers defender Ollie Denham before the ball crept around McGinty's post.
Max Mata headed JR Wilson's cross straight at Maher just short of the hour as this contest showed signs of opening up somewhat.
Seeking that first win on Sligo soil in five attempts, the Candystripes were let down by poor decision making while in dangerous positions, particularly from out wide despite the presence of the likes of Duffy and Daniel Kelly.
There were late efforts from the visitors as they threatened a dramatic winner.
A Patching set piece had the pace but not the accuracy as the Stockport native's somewhat speculative free-kick from distance dipped past McGinty's post. While McGinty had to be alert to pluck the ball from the feet of substitute Kelly just yards from the Rovers goal.
McGinty remained busy in injury time at the end of this game. The Oxford loanee tipping Patching's low drive wide of his goal in the fourth of five minutes of added time.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson (Charlie Wiggett 77), Ollie Denham, Nando Pijnaker, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Conor Malley; Fabrice Hartmann (Will Fitzgerald 73), Simon Power; Ellis Chapman (Kaiin Barlow 73); Max Mata (Wilson Waweru 83).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ronan Boyce, Sam Todd, Mark Connolly, Cameron McJannett (Ben Doherty 76); Cameron Dummigan (Jordan McEneff 45+4), Patrick McEleney (Adam O'Reilly 40), Will Patching; Michael Duffy, Paul McMullan (Daniel Kelly 76); Pat Hoban.
Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan
Attendance: 4,317.
