Longford Town continue to hold the Indian sign over Derry City following this result at a freezing Brandywell last night.

Indeed, Kevin Mahon's men have yet to defeat Longford since the midlanders gained promotion to the Premier Division at the start of last season.

And last night Longford clearly dominated in the early exchanges, but it was Derry who finished the stronger before breaking the deadlock during injury-time at the end of the first half.

In the 46th minute, Liam Coyle played the ball perfectly into the path of Gareth McGlynn and he drove it home from 18 yards.

But Longford battled back to level matters in the 52nd minute following a break out from defence.

Alan Reynolds unselfishly passed to the unmarked Sean Prunty and he gave Russell Payne no chance from 14 yards.

Derry dominated afterwards but they failed to grab the vital winner.

In the 91st minute, Longford midfielder Reynolds was sent off by the referee, having been shown a second yellow card for impeding Derry from taking a free-kick.

DERRY CITY: Payne, E McCallion, Hargan, Kelly, McLoughlin, Doherty, Hughes, McGlynn, Coyle, T McCallion, Beckett. Subs: Moran and McCready for Hughes and T McCallion (both 58 mins)

LONGFORD: O'Brien, Murphy, O'Halloran, Perth, Byrne, McNally, Kirby, Reynolds, Lavine, O'Connor, Prunty. Subs: Coleman for O'connor, (66 mins), Holt for Kirby (89 mins).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).