EFL Youth Alliance Merit Division action
Northampton Town's under 18s drew 0-0 against AFC Wimbledon at Moulton College on Friday in their first EFL Youth Alliance Merit Division game.
It was the visitors who threatened first on 6 minutes after being awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box, but the strike from 20 yards was comfortable for 'keeper Adam North.
Morgan Robers, an U16, started for the Cobblers and did well on the left-hand side to win a free-kick of his own. The ball was swung towards the back-post but it was just too heavy for an on-rushing Lewis Irwin to meet at the back-post.
North was called into action again on 13 minutes after the Wimbledon winger cut inside onto his right foot and curled an effort towards goal, but the 'keeper dived at full-stretch to palm the ball behind and the resulting corner was cleared.
Roberts was in the thick of the action again soon after, and after dribbling to the edge of the box he saw a left-footed effort which was heading for the top corner saved by the AFC goalkeeper.
The Cobblers threatened again after a delivery from the right was cleared back as far as Roberts but his cross was unable to be turned in at the back-post by winger Vaughn Marret.
Full-back Jamie Hall then found space on the left to pick out Irwin in the box but his first-time half volley from 15 yards was straight at the 'keeper, who made a comfortable stop as the sides went in level at the break.
AFC Wimbledon almost took the lead straight after the restart after a ball broke to their forward in the box, but Hall rushed back to make a goal-line clearance after the ball was poked past North.
At the other end James Gillard was denied by a great save at the near-post as the Cobblers reacted to that scare, seeing his effort from the right of the box tipped over for a corner.
Shaun Whaler's diagonal cross into the box from a cleared corner found defender Ben Toseland at the back-post but his shot spun wide of the post as Cobblers pushed for a winner.
However the final chance came in stoppage time for AFC Wimbledon following a long free-kick into the penalty area, the ball was flicked on to the back-post where the defender connected with the ball but his shot fell inches wide before the full-time whistle blew.