St Patrick's Athl. drew 0-0 with Derry City, as Sean Hoare's missed headers and Derry's determined defending led to a share of the spoils. The draw comes after back-to-back defeats for Derry, who showed determination to grind out a point. Jamie Stott and Patrick McClean were solid at the heart of City's defense, repelling most of the danger that came their way. St Patrick's Athl. did threaten on a few occasions, with Hoare having the best chance of the first period in the 17th minute. Barry Baggley also tested Derry goalkeeper Eddie Beach from range. After the break, Saints stepped up their pursuit of a goal, with a glanced header from Luke Turner having Beach scampering to collect. Derry's Tiernan Lynch made a quadruple change, which initially led to confusion amongst the officiating team. Substitutes James Clarke and Josh Thomas threatened on the break for the Candystripes in the final quarter of an hour. The hosts might have felt they should have been awarded a penalty after Patrick McClean and Romal Palmer tangled legs. In the dying embers, Palmer fired towards goal, but a host of determined Derry bodies charged him down as the Foylesiders hung on for a well-earned point. Derry remain sixth on eight points ahead of their next game at home to Drogheda on Friday night. St Patrick's Athl.'s next match will be a crucial test of their resolve. The club will look to bounce back from this draw and secure a win in their upcoming fixture. With the League of Ireland Premier season heating up, every point counts, and St Patrick's Athl. will be eager to get back to winning ways. The draw with Derry City will be seen as a missed opportunity for the hosts, who dominated possession but failed to capitalize on their chances. As the season progresses, St Patrick's Athl. will need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to challenge for the title.