Derry City went close to loosing their impressive unbeaten record at the Brandywell last night at the hands of lowly Dundalk.

The Co Louth side dominated the possession for lengthy spells yet failed to create one clearcut scoring chance in the first half.

And the home side took full advantage in the 30th minute when Eddie McCallion floated a free kick into the danger area before Darren Kelly rose high to head the ball powerfully home.

The visitors went close to equalising in the 55th minute when Garry Haylock squandered a golden opportunity but they deservedly levelled 20 minutes later. A Jonathan Prizeman free saw John Flanagan bend low to glance a header into the corner.

Derry City: Payne, McLaughlin, Kelly, E McCallion, Hargan, McGlynn, T McCallion, Doherty, Beckett, Coyle, Moran. Subs: Hughes for Moran (51 mins); Parkhouse for Coyle (71 mins); McCreedy for Beckett (87 mins).

Dundalk: J Connolly, Hoey, S Connolly, Broughan, Callaghan, Flanagan, Kavanagh, Reilly, Haylock, Prizeman, Keddy. Subs: McGuinness for Broughan (58 mins); Nesovic for Reilly (85 mins).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).