Southend United's reserve team opened their new Avon Insurance Combination League campaign by picking up a hard earned point against moneybags Fulham at Roots Hall.

The Cottagers, who are bank-rolled by Harrods tycoon Mohammed Al-Fayed, fielded a side boasting around £5 million worth of talent and four players with solid Premiership experience.

Fulham's rearguard had the most familiar faces on show, with Republic of Ireland international full-back Terry Phelan breezing through his 90 minute run-out on Tuesday, alongside former Manchester City defender Kit Symons and his ex-Southampton partner Alan Neilson.

In comparison the Seasiders sent out a team of mostly youngsters - with six members of the Southend side still waiting to celebrate their 20th birthday.

"I thought all the lads worked tirelessly against strong opposition and were a credit to their football club," said Blues' new reserve team coach Rob Newman.

"This is a tough league full of quality teams and to kick-off with a point from our first fixture will breed confidence among my players.

"However, the boys must also remember that they have set themselves a high level of performance now and they will need to stick to it for the rest of the season."

The Londoners settled straight into a slick display of one touch passing, which culminated in an opening goal after just six minutes.

Visiting forward Luke Cornwall outpaced Blues defender Dave McSweeney to break into the Southend box and beat keeper Mel Capleton at his near post with a close-range drive.

And the Shrimpers' custodian was soon back in action as Fulham threatened to run riot in the opening exchanges.

But Capleton made two smart saves to deny Cornwall another goal, before pushing away a bending Steve Hayward free-kick.

Blues equalised after 17 minutes as teenage frontman Yemi Abiodun latched on to a poor back pass and rolled a shot across Fulham's American keeper Marcus Hahnemann, which found the back of the net via the inside of the right-post.

Fulham, though, were unlucky not to grab the lead again before the break, when tricky midfielder Fabrice Fernandes, a summer signing from French club Lens, smashed a stunning 30-yard drive against the Southend bar.

After the interval both sides continued to create chances, with exciting Blues midfielder Scott Forbes going close on a couple of occasions with a header and tight angled drive.

Another long-range special from Fernandes was again superbly dealt with by Capleton, before Gordon Connelly dispossessed former Derby County midfielder Paul Trollope and fired a 35-yard effort inches over the Fulham crossbar.

Southend: Capleton, Cross, Johnson, McDonald, Whelan, McSweeney, Connelly, Hunter, Forbes (Pitts), Abiodun (Edwards), Fitzpatrick.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.