Northampton Town’s youth team played their first game of 2018 when they made the trip to Southend United on Saturday.

The EFL Youth Alliance fixture ended 2-2 with James Gillard and Sean Whaler on target for the Cobblers.

“We were excellent today and I’m extremely proud of the boys,” said coach Jon Brady.

“Southend scored a late equaliser which was a bit harsh on us but even after that we had a chance to win it.

“We played a new system which the boys adapted too really well and we took the game to Southend.

“Southend are a physical side but we won the physical battle and we played some good stuff on top of that as well.”