Relegation threatened Waterford United grabbed what could prove a vital point at the Brandywell yesterday after Derry City's striker, Liam Coyle, netted another of his wonder strikes after just six minutes.
But Derry huffed and puffed afterwards, particularly in the final third of the field, and failed to build on that foundation having dominated the first-half proceedings.
Waterford, to their credit, stuck manfully to the task and, against the run of play, they equalised in the 25th minute. Barry Wood raced clear and his low teasing cross into the danger area was diverted to the net by the alert Karl Gannon.
Derry City - Platt; McCallion, Kelly, Hutton, Hargan; McCready, Hegarty, Doherty, McIvor; Coyle, Taylor. Subs: Beckett for Taylor (57 mins), Moran for McIvor (60 mins), McCaul for McCready (82 mins).
Waterford United - Devine; Smith, Riordan, T McGrath, Frost; Kirby, D McGrath, Reynolds, Griffin; Gannon, Wood. Subs: Whittle for Wood (69 mins), Markey for D McGrath (82 mins), O'Brien for T McGrath (88 mins).
Referee - Paul McKeon (Dublin).
