James Akintude grabbed a last gasp equaliser to deny Longford Town a very important victory in the Brandywell.
Rob Manley had given Longford Town the lead with 15 minutes remaining, however for the second time this season an injury time goal denied town all the glory.
Derry had the better of the first-half, Dean Zambra heading Eoin Toal’s attempt off the line on 14 minutes.
It took 29 minutes for Town to have their first chance, Aaron Robinson heading Shane Elworthy’s cross right at Nathan Garside in the Derry goal.
Five minutes before the break, Derry came close to breaking the deadlock but David Parkhouse’s effort zipped just wide of the post.
Nine minutes after the restart Parkhouse came close again, town keeper Mick Kelly producing a good save to keep out a looping header.
Town had battled back into the game with Manley breaking the deadlock 16 minutes from time as he chased down Dean Zambra’s high ball.
Manley held off Ciaran Coll and poked the ball past Gartside for what looked like giving Longford a surprise away win.
However up stepped James Akintude to in the second minute of injury time to seal a share of the spoils.
Derry City: Gartside, Coll Boyce, McJannet, Toal, Harkin, Malone, Patching, Fitzgerald (McLaughlin 75), Akintunde, Parkhouse
Longford Town: Kelly, Elworthy O’Driscoll, McDonnell, Robinson (Bolger 67), Zambra, Grimes, Dervin, Manley, Chambers, Byrne (Thompson 60)