Æthelfrith's smaller army won a decisive victory, although his brother Theodbald was killed.
The location of the nominal Degsastan is not known, either; Dawstane in Liddesdale, Scotland, is a possibility.
According to Bede's account in his Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (Book I, chapter 34), Æthelfrith had won many victories against the Britons and was expanding his power and territory, and this concerned Áedán, who led "an immense and mighty army" against Æthelfrith.
Áedán's army also included the Cenél nEógain prince Máel Umai mac Báetáin, who is said by Irish sources to have slain Eanfrith, brother of Æthelfrith.
Áedán survived as King of Dál Riata until 608 when he was succeeded by his youngest son Eochaid Buide.