Shelbourne remain top of the Setanta Group Two despite failing to overcome Derry at the Brandywell tonight.

Pat Fenlon's team may have started off the better side, with both Bobby Ryan and Glen Crowe getting close in the first few minutes, but Derry stood their ground to claim a well-deserved draw.

A blizzard meant that as the game proceded, there were few clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities, but Derry nearly broke the deadlock in the 65th minute after Martyn got his head on the end of a crafty chip from O'Flynn. But O'Flynn's header lacked the necessary power to cause any real damage.

Later on, Shelbourne had to replace goalkeeper Delaney with Steve Williams after the former sustained an injury and Fenlon also brought on Joseph Ndo to partner Crowe up-front. But despite a great shot from 25 yards out close to the end, Ndo failed to strike home.

In tonight's other Group Two game, Linfield fought back to claim a draw at the Oval despite going down to 10-men.

Glen Ferguson’s dismissal in the 56th minute meant that Linfield were on the back foot for most of the second half.

Glentoran went ahead in the 11th minute with a goal from Lockhart, but Linfield were level five minutes late when McAreavey struck home.

Glentoran were then awarded a penalty in the 21st minute which Nixon slotted home. But two goals from Kearney in the 50th and 69th minute saw the visitors take the lead. However, Browne stepped up to save Glentoran's blushes in the 74th minute to make it level once again.