A last gasp equaliser from former Finn Harps striker Sean Boyd enabled Shelbourne to preserve their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division following a night of high drama at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
City deservedly took the lead on 56 minutes when Paul McMullan capitalised on a Shels’ mistake to pounce, and it looked as if they were on course for a third win in four games and a result that would have put the Ruairdhri Higgins side on top.
But Boyd netted in the 90th minute to stun the home fans as he made it 1-1 and so Derry are joint second behind Shamrock Rovers on goal difference.
Martin Holmes filed this full-time report:
Elsewhere, champions Shamrock Rovers slumped to a shock 3-1 home defeat against Waterford and Bohemians also lost at home, losing 1-0 to Galway United.
Sligo Rovers also inflicted a defeat on Dublin opposition as they won 1-0 at the Showgrounds.
Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Drogheda United won the Louth derby as they defeated Noel King’s Dundalk 2-1 thanks to a Hayden Cann 94th minute winner.