League of Ireland: Derry City 1-1 St Patrick's Athletic

Kenny Shiels' Derry side ended their season-long sojourn at Maginn Park in Buncrana

Derry City ended their League of Ireland campaign with a 1-1 draw against St Pat's at Maginn Park as the Dublin club avoided the drop.

With a European place already secured, Derry produced a poor first-half as Killian Brennan netted for Pat's on 28.

Derry improved after the break with Rory Patterson levelling on 48 minutes after a superb turn and shot.

The Candystripes then went back into their shell before Ronan Curtis had a late chance blocked by Billy Dennehy.

With Galway levelling 3-3 against Dundalk late in the game before eventually losing 4-3, Pat's nerves began to strain in the closing minutes as Derry did produce some late pressure.

A Galway victory and Pat's defeat would have seen the Dublin club drop to the First Division but in the event, it was the Tribesman who suffered relegation along with Finn Harps and Drogheda.

With Shamrock Rovers winning 2-1 in Tallaght against Limerick, even a Derry victory would not have been enough to have moved them into third place in the table and Kenny Shiels' side finished the campaign in fourth spot - three points behind the Hoops.

Curtis' header straight at Pat's Polish keeper Lukasz Skowron was Derry's only first-half effort of note as former Candystripe Brennan's goal separated the sides at half-time.

Pat's had been little better in the opening 28 minutes before a superb move also involving Conan Byrne and Michael Barker was finished off by Brennan.

Friday's game also completed Derry's season-on sojourn at Maginn Park and the Candystripes will be back in the re-developed Brandywell next Spring.