Ciaran Martyn scored Derry City's first half equaliser

It is now three draws in a row for Derry City since Gavin Dykes took over as manager.

The struggling Candystripes, seeking their first Premier Division for four months and just one place off the bottom, desperately wanted a win.

But they found themselves trailing after 13 minutes when Tony Grant scored for Rovers.

Trevor Molloy's cross found former Glenavon striker Grant and his deflected header beat the dive of Alan Gough.

City, who started with a fit-again Billy Clery and Gary Beckett, only really got going midway through the half.

Striker Michael Holt threatened on 24 minutes with a longe-range shot and Beckett linked with Ciaran Martyn, only to shoot inches wide of Barry Ryan's goal three minutes later.

It was Martyn who equalised for Derry on the half-hour mark. Good build-up between Peter Hutton and Eamonn Doherty saw space created for the former UCD midfielder to right-foot home from 12 yards.

Other Premier Division results
Bohemians 1-1 Drogheda United
Cork City 1-1 Shelbourne
UCD 0-0 St Patrick's Athletic
Waterford United 1-1 Longford Town