Kildare needed a last-minute point from Willie McCreery to earn a share of the spoils at Ballinascreen yesterday.

The All-Ireland finalists got to half-time with a one-point lead, but the second half was barely one minute old when Derry were level, Geoffrey McGonigle scoring with a free from 40 metres.

Kildare did get back in front when Paul McCormick scored in the 43rd minute, but Anthony Tohill hit back for Derry from the kick-out.

McCreery put Kildare back in front with 12 minutes remaining, but McGonigle again replied for Derry. With the game level, Joe Brolly celebrated his return to the Derry jersey with what looked like being the winning point five minutes from time, but McCreery popped up to earn Kildare a point.

Derry: S McCloskey; S Donnelly, J McBride, S McGuckin; S McIvor, G Coleman, E McKeever, A Tohill capt (0-4, all frees), R Rocks; B Murray, B McCormick, P Murphy; J Brolly (0-1), D Heaney, G McGonigle (0-3, 2 frees). Subs: S Downey for Murphy; G Doyle for McCormick.

Kildare: C Byrne; B Lacey, E Mullall, K Doyle; A Rainbow, G Ryan (capt, 0-1), D Maher; W McCreery (0-2), D Early; P McCormick (0-2, 1 free), K O'Dwyer, D Kerrigan; N Donlon (0-1), B Murphy, C Sheridan (0-2, 1 free).

Referee: M McGrath (Donegal).