Controversial penalty denies Shamrock Rovers a big win at Derry City

Derry City's title hopes are well and truly alive, as Pat Hoban's stoppage time penalty earned them a deserved point against champions Shamrock Rovers.

Trialing to Dylan Watts' first half strike, the Foylesiders dominated things but a controversial stoppage time penalty won by Patrick McEleney and converted by Pat Hoban earned City a share of the spoils.

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The Hoops will be disappointed that they didn't leave the Brandywell with the win, but in the end Hoban's first goal in eight matches earned a share of the spoils.

Derry had the first shot on target for either team as Ciaran Coll's 25-yard drive, just after the midway point of the half, had to be kept out by a diving Rovers goalkeeper Leon Pohls.

The Dubliners broke the deadlock on 26 minutes as Johnny Kenny broke clear down the left before cutting the ball back to Dylan Watts just inside the box and the midfielder calmly picked his spot, curling the ball low into Brian Maher's bottom left hand corner.

In a first half of very few chances, Derry went close to equalising with the last kick of the half, but Michael Duffy's angled shot from the left-hand side of the box flashed just past Pohls' left hand post.

The home side started well after the break but Danny Mullen's 20-yard shot on the turn, which was well-hit, was straight at Pohls, who easily gathered onto the strike.

The Candystripes thought they had levelled things just after the hour mark by Mark Connolly's header was rightfully chalked off after the defender had pushed Roberto Lopes in the build up to the goal.

City had a massive call for a penalty moments later as Mullen's left wing cross seemed to be blocked Lee Grace's trailing arm, after the centre-back slid back to an attempt to block the centre,