Derry City missed the chance to move into top spot, as Sean Boyd's late goal earned leaders Shelbourne a share of the spoils at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.
The Candystripes dominated for long periods and missed a host of clear cut opportunities, after Paul McMullan's opener, but it was the ex-Finn Harps man who earned Damien Duff's side a point.
In their previous meeting at Tolka Park, neither side created much that night, but it was a different story tonight, as Derry played more on the front foot in the first half and with a bit more luck they would have been in front at the break.
The home side went close on 11 minutes as Pat Hoban played a lovely pass to release Ben Doherty, but Shelbourne goalkeeper Conor Kearns raced off his line to avert the danger.
Derry were inches away from breaking the deadlock in stunning fashion minutes later but McMullan, who hadn't scored for the club before tonight, saw his 20-yard volley come crashing back off the post.
City missed a great opportunity on 32 minutes as Doherty's right-wing cross found Hoban, but the league's leading marksman, with the goal at his mercy, failed to hit the target and headed wide from close range.
Derry deservedly took the lead on 56 minutes as McMullan fired home from just inside the penalty area, after Gavin Molloy's misplaced pass had fallen perfectly to him.
Minutes later the visitors had a half chance as Kameron Ledwidge's 25-yard drive flashed into the Derry penalty box and Liam Burt was unable to keep his first time effort down.
The Brandywell men missed a great chance to net a second on 71 minutes as Will Patching's sublime pass found Adam O'Reilly, but the midfielder's close range shot was well kept out by a diving Kearns.
Right at the death subtitute Boyd turned the ball home at the near post, after nipping in front of Cameron McJannet, to earn the visitors their fifth draw in a row against the Foylesiders.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Mark Connolly, Cameron McJannet, Ciaran Coll; Adam O'Reilly, WIll Patching (Daniel Mullen 92), Paul McMullan; Daniel Kelly (Sadou Diallo 81), Pat Hoban, Ben Doherty.
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns, Sean Gannon (Shane Farrell 79), Paddy Barrett, Gavin Molly, Kameron Ledwidge (Tyreke Wilson 68); Jonathan Lunney, Mark Coyle (Dean Williams 85), Liam Burt; Will Jarvis, John Martin (Matty Smith HT), John O’Sullivan (Sean Boyd 68).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
