Derry City's disappointing form continues to halt their title charge as they had to settle for a point against 10-man Sligo Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Reece Hutchinson's second-half own goal cancelled out Connor Malley's stunning first-half strike and while Derry had chances to win the game in the second half, they struggled at times on the counter-attack against the 10 men.
Derry's Achilles heel came back to haunt them as they were shocking again in the first half and while they had chances after Hutchinson's own goal, Rovers, who had Luke Pearce sent off, always looked a threat on the break.
City boss Ruaidhrí Higgins made one enforced change to the side which drew with Bohemians on Friday night as Ciaran Coll came in for the injured Ben Doherty.
The home side were unfortunate not to be awarded a spot-kick on 13 minutes as Paul McMullan found Ronan Boyce inside the box, but just as the right-back was about to shoot he seemed to be pushed to the ground by Simon Power, but referee Paul Norton waved away their appeals.
Rovers broke the deadlock in outstanding fashion on 34 minutes as Malley had some time and space some 25 yards from goal and his superb right-footed strike fizzed past Brian Maher and flew into the bottom left hand corner.
Two minutes later, Derry were forced into making a change as Pat Hoban limped to the bench and was replaced by Daniel Mullen.
A large chorus of boos rang out after the half-time whistle as the home supporters were frustrated that for the umpteenth time their side struggled in the first half.
Higgins rang the changes at half-time, with Patrick McEleney, Colm Whelan and Jacob Davenport replacing Andre Wisdom, Will Patching and Adam O'Reilly as they looked to get back into the contest.
Reece Hutchinson diverts the ball into his own goal as Derry equalise against Sligo at the Brandywell.
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Derry levelled things somewhat against the run of play on 53 minutes and they got a major stroke of luck with their equaliser as Hutchinson turned the ball into his own net after slicing Paul McMullan's right-wing cross.
City went close to taking the lead soon after as Ronan Boyce's right-wing cross found Whelan around the penalty spot, but the striker's shot was saved by a diving Ed McGinty.
Just after the hour mark, Rovers had a super chance to regain the lead as Will Fitzgerald's right-wing centre found Ellis Chapman at the back post, but the midfielder, who had initially started the counter-attack, was unable to hit the target.
Soon after Derry missed a glorious chance to take the lead as McMullan nipped in to win possession inside the box, after jinking around a few challenges, his close-range side-footed shot was kept out by McGinty.
On 73 minutes, Rovers suffered a major injury blow as Chapman had to be stretchered off with what looked a serious injury.
Rovers were reduced to 10 men two minutes later as Pearce was shown a second yellow card after he put in a late challenge on Maher.
The Bit O'Red, to their credit, pushed in search of a winner and they missed a great chance on 83 minutes as substitute Owen Elding found Fitzgerald, but the ex-Derry man blasted high over the bar when well-placed inside the box.
McGinty had to make a top save on 89 minutes as the Rovers goalkeeper got down low to keep out Whelan's back post header after Duffy's left-wing free-kick had picked out the ex-Republic of Ireland U21 international.
Derry's night was summed up on 92 minutes as another Duffy centre found Sean Robertson at the back post, but the unmarked substitute blazed over with the goal at his mercy,
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Mark Connolly, Andre Wisdom (Colm Whelan, Ciaran Coll; Sadou Diallo (Sean Robertson 85), Adam O'Reilly (Patrick McEleney HT), Will Patching (Jacob Davenport HT); Michael Duffy, Pat Hoban (Daniel Mullen 36), Paul McMullan
Sligo Rovers: Edward McGinty, John Ross Wilson, Niall Morahan, Oliver Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Jack Henry-Francis, Connor Malley; Ellis Chapman (Owen Elding 73); Simon Power, Luke Pearce, Will Fitzgerald
Referee: Paul Norton (Dublin)
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