DERRY CITY may have dropped two vital points at the Brandywell but, if the truth be told, they could so easily have lost the game against a tenacious Bray Wanderers.

Indeed, the "Candystripes" failed miserably to deal with the windy conditions after the break as Bray seized the initiative, forcing Stephen Kenny's men onto the backfoot for lengthy spells.

And while Derry may have fallen three points behind Shamrock Rovers at the business end of the table, they will have no complaints with this share of the spoils.

Minus the services of regular defenders Shane McEleney and Danny Lafferty due to suspension, plus their injury skipper, Kevin Deery, the home side regularly threatened during the opening period.

And after Patrick McEleney and Ruaidhri Higgins both went close with free-kicks during the opening 20 minutes, Derry deservedly broke the deadlock five minutes later.

Eamon Zayed sent James McClean on his way on the flank and the left-winger's low centre was gleefully swept home by the unmarked McEleney from close range.

But that was as good as it got for the home lot, Bray threatened to level two minutes before the break when lively striker, John Mulroy, forced Derry keeper, Gerard Doherty into a top drawer stop.

However, following the change of ends it was Bray who moved into the ascendancy with the blustery wind at their backs. 

In the 55th minute Derry’s Barry Molloy, who was deployed at centre-back due to the suspension of Shane McEleney, was forced to head the ball off the goal-line as Bray threatened following a series of corners.

And Pat Devlin's side deservedly equalised in the 67th minute.

With the home side failing to adequately clear the lines, the ball was worked forward to Daire Doyle and his powerful wind-assisted strike crashed into the top corner - keeper, Doherty, failing to react, believing the effort was going wide of the target!

And Mulroy was considered unlucky not to put his side into the driving seat in the 69th minute after Molloy appeared to misjudge a high ball.

But while he appeared to be chasing a lost cause, the striker won the race for possession with Doherty but his looping header was fisted clear in the one-on-one situation.

Bray's magnificent start to the season, therefore, continues and, no doubt, the "Seagulls" will grow in confidence having taken a point from a venue which has proved particularly troublesome for the Co. Wicklow men over the years.

Derry City – Doherty; McCallion, Greacen, Molloy, Friars (R. McBride, 70); McGlynn, Higgins, T. McBride, McClean; P. McEleney (McDaid, 77), Zayed.

Bray Wanderers – Gregg; O’Connor, Mitchell, Kendrick; Zambra (Houston, 63), Doyle, Dempsey, Shields, Kelly; Mulroy.

Referee – T Connolly (Dublin).