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Derry missed a host of gilt-edged chances as they were held to a Premier Division draw at the Brandywell.

Daryl Horgan's stunning effort seven minutes from time looked to have won it for Cork, only for Rory Patterson to equalise two minutes later.

Patterson, substitute Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney were all guilty of wasting clear openings for Derry.

Derry missed the chance to go second and instead slip three points behind new leaders St Patrick's.

St Pat's beat Bohemians 2-0 while second-placed Sligo Rovers played out a scoreless draw with Limerick.

A dour first half was littered with sloppy errors and little creativity from either side, with the hosts set up to nullify the threat of Republic of Ireland international Colin Healy.

The Candystripes started the second half with much more purpose and, after some neat passing, Patrick McEleney unleashed a vigorous shot from 25 yards which flew narrowly wide.

Declan Devine's men had a glorious opportunity in the 68th minute when, clean through, Patterson was denied by a wonderful Mark McNulty save.

Minutes later Duffy crossed for Patrick McEleney, who planted his header wide when it seemed easier to score.

Duffy then became the culprit when he tamely shot at McNulty from five yards after the goalkeeper had parried Patterson's free-kick into the youngster's path.

After an intense spell of pressure, Cork broke to the other end and Horgan curled a left-footed effort over the despairing dive of Gerard Doherty.

But Derry weren't finished and, after pouncing on John Dunleavy's horrendous back pass, Patterson rolled the ball past McNulty to set up a frantic finale, but Cork held on.

Derry City: Doherty, Madden, S McEleney, McBride, McCaffrey, P McEleney, Deery, Molloy, Higgins, McNamee, Patterson.

Cork City: McNulty, N Horgan, Dennehy, Buckley, Murphy, D Horgan, Healy, Dunleavy, G Morrissey, Duggan, D Morrissey.