A tenacious display from St Patrick's who, despite going behind, again demonstrated the tremendous battling qualities which have typified their performances to date.
The home side will be disappointed not to have bagged full points as a win would have seen them top but they can take satisfaction from the manner in which they made their opponents work for the same luxury.
The rain that fell throughout ensured tricky underfoot conditions but both sides coped admirably and played impressively. St Patrick's were particularly menacing in their approach with Sean O'Connor and Trevor Molloy pulling their markers every which way when searching for possession.
But despite that early endeavor, Derry, themselves keen to probe, scored as early as the sixth minute and with it temporarily extinguished the gusto with which the home side played. Killian Brennan crossed for Barry Molloy who let fly from 25 yards, leaving goalkeeper Barry Ryan stranded.
That lead afforded Derry licence to roam and Pat McCourt, as he so often does, proved a constant threat. His slaloming runs carved open the St Patrick's defence on more than one occasion and, not long after the goal, he provided for Stephen O'Flynn but the striker could find no way past Ryan who was equal to the shot.
St Patrick's, though, quickly regained their swagger and Molloy proved orchestrator in chief behind their more significant moves. His fondness for dropping deep and finding the flanks proved useful and twice he went close to equalising, first hitting the crossbar from distance and then sending a free just over.
Indeed, his persistence was always likely to reap rewards and, 15 minutes into the second period, it did. He swung in a free which goalkeeper David Forde appeared to gather safely but he spilled and Paul Keegan poked home the loose ball.
John McDonnell's men could have secured it late on but Molloy cleared Dave Mulcahy's header off the line.
St Patrick's Athletic: Ryan; Murphy, Brennan, Maguire, Frost; Fitzpatrick, Foley, Mulcahy, O'Connor; Keegan, Molloy
Subs: Quigley for Fitzpatrick (half-time), Reilly for O'Connor (86). Booked: Fitzpatrick (9)
Derry City: Forde; McCallion, Hutton, Oman, Hargan; Molloy; Brennan, Martyn, McCourt; O'Flynn, McHugh. Subs: Beckett for O'Flynn (71), Farren for McHugh (78), Cash for McCourt (89). Booked: Oman (28)
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin)
