Derry City 1

MICHAEL DUFFY SALVAGED a share of the spoils for Derry City against UCD at Brandywell Stadium as the Candystripes slumped to a third successive draw in a so far disappointing campaign.

Patrick McEleney had missed a first half penalty before Robert Benson scored an outstanding individual goal to give the students a deserved lead on the half hour mark. However, Derry dug deep to bounce back and Duffy netted his second goal of the season to equalise just before the break.

UCD enjoyed the best of the scoring chances in the second half with Benson striking the post while Samir Belhout had a gilt edged chance to steal maximum points at the death but he blasted over the bar when clean through on goal.

The students had got off to the worst possible start as James Kavanagh clipped the heels of Patrick McEleney just inside the penalty area on 10 minutes and there was no hesitation from referee, Rob Harvey who pointed to the spot.

McEleney dusted himself down to take the penalty but he was denied by a strong one-handed save from O’Donnell who pushed the ball over the crossbar.

Enda Curran then tried his luck from distance and his powerful strike bounced off the chest of O’Donnell before Tomas Boyle cleared the danger.

UCD striker, Benson gave his side the lead with an outstanding solo goal on 34 minutes when he drove towards the Derry goal unopposed from inside his own half before chipping Ger Doherty with an excellent effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Derry fought back and Enda Curran’s curling effort from 25 yards appeared destined for the far corner but O’Donnell did well at full stretch to turn it behind.

And just before the half-time whistle City got back on level terms when J.P McGovern floated his cross to the back post and Duffy’s downward header from close range found the back of the net,

UCD almost stunned their hosts two minutes after the break when Benson was played in behind the Derry defence but the striker was forced wide by Doherty before striking the foot of the post and the chance was lost.

The lively Benson split the Derry defence on 57 minutes with a superb through ball which sent Chris Mulhall sprinting clear and he forced a top drawer save from Doherty. The rebound fell kindly to Benson and his first time strike was deflected narrowly behind.

Threat

It was a promising spell from UCD but Derry came so close to taking the lead on the hour mark when Dean Jarvis found McGovern lurking on the edge of the area but his low strike shaved the wrong side of the post.

Derry threatened again three minutes later as McEleney picked out Enda Curran under pressure from the advancing keeper at the back post but the striker’s header went wide.

UCD were presented with two great chances to put the game beyond Derry in the space of as many minutes as Benson’s curling free kick went so close to finding the top corner. And Samir Belhout got beyond Jarvis and found himself clean through on goal but he shot over the crossbar as Derry somehow survived.

Substitute, Mark Stewart caught UCD on the counter attack as he raced towards goal but he sent his shot into the side netting with two minutes remaining.

Derry City: G. Doherty 7: R. Collins 6, D. Elebert 6 (A. Barry 6, h-t), C. Byrne 6, D. Jarvis 6; J.P. McGovern 6 (M. Stewart 6, 69), D. Ventre 6, P. McEleney 7 (R. Foy 6, 81), M. Duffy 7; E. Curran 6; Subs Not Used – C. Gallagher, R. McBride, T. McNamee, M. Timlin.

UCD: C. O’Donnell; M. Langtry, T. Boyle, J. Kavanagh, H. Douglas; S. Belhout, C. Crowe, R. Creevy, R. Benson,C. Mulhall; C. Morrison; Subs Not Used – M. McGinley, G. Matthews, I. Ryan, G. Burke, M. Scott, S. Coyne, T. O’Hallaron.