Dundalk 1 Derry City 1:CLUB CAPTAIN Chris Shields popped up with a late goal to secure Dundalk a share of the spoils against Derry City at Oriel Park last night. Derry hit the woodwork three times before David McDaid put them in front after 74 minutes from close range.

Dundalk had a good shout for a goal ruled out when Robert Waters’ header looked to have crossed the line but they did force an equaliser when captain Shields beat Ger Doherty with five minutes to go.

Derry squandered a golden opportunity after 29 minutes. Stephen McLaughlin left Dundalk full-back and his namesake Ben in his wake but David McDaid could only direct his cross on to the bar from six yards.

McLaughlin continued to pose a threat and in the 55th minute he saw an effort bounce off the underside of the crossbar and four minutes later his acrobatic attempt rebounded off the upright. In the 62nd minute Robert Waters looked to have forced a header home but Ger Doherty palmed the ball clear with Dundalk players protesting that the ball had crossed the line.

The deadlock was broken 11 minutes later. Derry City left-back Dermot McCaffrey broke on the left and his cross was knocked home by McDaid to give Derry the lead. That looked enough to have secured the win but Dundalk picked up another vital point in their quest for safety when Shields rose to head home from six yards.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; McLaughlin, Foran, Shields, Murphy; Walsh, Mountney, McDonnell (Thomas 80), Waters (Rafter 67), Shanahan; Griffin.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; Madden, S McEleney, McBride, McCaffrey; Morrison (Morrison 82), P McEleney, Molloy, McLaughlin; Murphy, McDaid.

Referee: P McLaughlin (Monaghan).