League of Ireland: Cork City 0-0 Derry City

Derry City earned a valuable point in their battle against relegation after a scoreless encounter at Turner's Cross.

The Candystripes created the better chances with Conor McCormack and Ciaran O'Connor going close in an impressive first-half display from the visitors.

Cork's John O'Flynn headed straight at keeper Shaun Patton before a goal-saving block from Alan Bennett denied O'Connor an 81st minute opener.

An unmarked Danny Morrissey headed wide for Cork with a minute remaining.

The draw takes the Brandywell side up one place to seventh although they are just six points off the bottom.

Derry were aiming to build on last week's win over Shamrock Rovers in caretaker manager Paul Hegarty's first game in charge.

They made a bright start and keeper Mark McNulty was at full stretch to keep out McCormack's low shot.

A defensive error left O'Flynn clear on goal but a poor first touch allowed Patton to race out and make the save.

The busy O'Connor rifled across McNulty but just wide as Derry bossed affairs against a team sitting second in the standings.

Cork threatened twice on the restart, with a header from O'Flynn and Garry Buckley's toe-poked both directed straight at Patton.

Derry almost made the breakthrough when McNulty tipped Cillian Morrison's header into the path of O'Connor, but a superb last-ditch block by Bennett halted the ball's path into the net.

Cork substitute Morrissey wasted a late opening, left free at the backpost but failing to find the target.