Despite the lack of goals this game was far from boring and both sides played their part in an exciting contest. The Hoops, starting their third game in seven days, started the brighter with O'Connor almost putting Amond through early in the game. On 11 minutes a fine interchange of passes saw Rice feed Bradley and Gary Twigg stretched to meet his cross but Doherty saved in the home goal.
The home side responded in the 13th minute and forced a corner from a dangerous cross. Bradley was alert to clear off the line from the corner. However the Hoops continued to play good football and Cahill's low cross on 17 minutes forced the home 'keeper to block Amond's close range effort. McManus then went close from a header at the other end.
Padraig Amond was working hard up front and he forced Hutton into conceding a free-kick on the edge of the area on 22 minutes. Stephen Bradley stepped up to find Maguire in the area but Doherty got down to push away his header. Cameron almost sent Twigg away on 35 minutes before Aiden Price was on hand to head clear from a Derry attack.
The half ended with Daragh Maguire heading off his own line after Flynn's poor defensive header let McManus nip in to lob the ball over Murphy. At the other end Amond had a great chance when he found space in the box but he dragged his shot wide of the goal.
Derry upped their game in the second-half and began to exert more pressure on the Hoops box in the first 15 minutes after the break. However Bradley's fine run on the hour set up Twigg for a shot but a combination of the 'keeper and a defender kept the ball out.
Barry Murphy then made a fine catch from a dangerous low cross before Flynn and Price denied Stewart a run into the box. Amond found space in the box to volley towards goal but Doherty beat the ball away after 65 minutes. From the resultant corner Bradley saw his shot blocked.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes the Hoops began to tire but Murphy was alert to claim Farren's through ball. The home side had a great chance to score with 10 minutes remaining when Farren shrugged off Price's challenge to bear down on goal but fortunately for Rovers he blasted the ball wide. Bradley's free-kick on 83 minutes found the target but Doherty saved.
Substitute Ger O'Brien then crossed for Scullion to glance a header past Murphy that went inches wide of the post. Despite some late pressure from Derry including a couple of corners the Hoops held firm to claim a deserved point.
