Soccer National League: The return of Derry City's striker Liam Coyle, after a 10-week injury lay-off, fashioned a remarkable comeback at the Brandywell last night. The 35-year-old, who came on as a 63rd-minute substitute, transformed this game against St Patrick's Athletic.

Derry appeared dead and buried at 2-0 down before Coyle not only helped create his side's first goal but also headed home the equaliser in the 82nd minute.

But up until that point St Pat's were in control with strikers David Freeman and Tony Bird having ran the Derry defence ragged throughout the first half.

With Davy Byrne orchestrating matters in midfield, St Pat's should have gone in at half-time with a handsome lead having squandered a litany of chances. However, the Dubliners deservedly drew first blood in the 29th minute when Freeman diverted Byrne's scuffed shot home from close range.

Indeed, St Pat's should have added to that lead but Derry goalkeeper David Forde did well to deny Bird and Freeman as the home defence struggled to contain the pace of the visitors.

It didn't get any better for the home side after the break when Bird doubled St Pat's lead in the 48th minute. Derry's Kevin Deery lost possession in the centre of the pitch before Paul Donnelly found Bird in space and the Welshman lobbed the ball over the advancing Forde.

But Coyle's introduction at the expense of Seán Friars, suddenly changed the passion, commitment and belief of the home side.

Having gained possession in the 65th minute, the Derry striker weaved his first piece of magic when inside the St Pat's penalty area. Having set up Deery, whose shot was parried by Chris Adamson, an alert Ciarán Martyn forced the rebound home from close range. And 10 minutes later Adamson earned his wages when his did well to touch a Gary Beckett drive over his crossbar as the home side found new life.

Coyle made his comeback complete in the 82nd minute when the striker headed the ball powerfully home following an Eddie McCallion free and the home side's six game unbeaten record remained intact.

DERRY CITY: Forde; Deery, Clery (McChrystal, 79 mins), McLaughlin, McCallion; McGlynn, Martyn, Hutton, Friars (Coyle, 63 mins); Beckett, Moran. Subs: McChrystal, McCready, Gill, Coyle, Ramsey.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Adamson; Prenderville, Maguire, Foley, El Khebir; Fahy (Marney, 77 mins) Byrne (Murphy, 85 mins), Donnelly, Mbabzi; Freeman, Bird. Subs: Harris, Murphy, Dunne. Gallagher, Marney.

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).