Northampton Town Under 18s drew 0-0 away to Southend United in the EFL Youth Alliance League South East on Saturday morning.

The young Cobblers are unbeaten in two games.

They started brightly, with the hosts’ defence blocking a number of shots in quick succession early on.

They came close to taking an early lead though, Ibrahim Kamara hitting the crossbar directly from an inswinging corner.

The Cobblers created a great opportunity a few minutes later, Kai O’Keeffe blazing over at the back post after Fin Amidi showed good determination to beat a defender to the ball and swing in a low cross.

Both sides continued to threaten with half-chances, but neither goalkeeper was really tested in the first half.

O’Keeffe was in again before the break when he took a lovely touch on the left and cut inside, but he fired just over from the edge of the area.

Despite the fast-paced, free-flowing nature of the opening 45 minutes, the scoreline remained goalless at the interval.

Northampton almost opened the scoring early in the second half when Ayo Lekuti’s driven ball across goal caused all sorts of problems for the defence, but Smai Norman was just about able to clear from the edge of the six yard box.

At the other end, Marcus Bald made a reaction save from Trialist’s close-range header to keep the score level midway through the second period.

Reuben Wyatt was played through on goal going into the final 10 minutes, but Southend ‘keeper Finley Purcell was quick off his line to make a one-on-one block.

A late Purcell free-kick was only cleared as far as Max Fiddes by Josh Tomlinson, and the attacker sent a first-time strike just over as the hosts almost snatched all three points late on.

The last chance fell to Cobblers midfielder Harry Guess, but he side-footed Duggan’s cutback wide from the edge as the match ended scoreless.

The youth team travel to AFC Wimbledon in a fortnight.

Cobblers: Marcus Bald, Brad Smith-Howes, Leo Jenkins, Josh Tomlinson, Ayo Lekuti, Rico Duggan, Dylan Hill, Harry Guess, Reuben Wyatt, Kai O’Keeffe (sub Jamari Hart 60), Fin Amidi (sub Neo Dobson 63)
Subs not used: Tom Ladyman, Kiantay Licorish-Mullings, Josh Rayfield