Everton Res v Hull City Res

Everton Reserves were held to a 0-0 draw by Hull City on Monday evening.

It was a youthful but energetic side in action for the Blues at the Halton Stadium, as David Moyes' men prepare to take on Aston Villa on Wednesday.

The first shot of the night fell to the Tigers' Mark Cullen, who found space to fire an effort at Iain Turner but scuffed it wide of the left post.

But the most impressive chance came for the Blues as an excellent ball from Nathan Craig found James Wallace who leaped to volley from close range, but hit it just over the cross bar.

Shane Duffy then rose to fire a header in from a free-kick on 25 minutes but his effort was easily collected by Hull keeper Mark Oxley.

Tom Donegan shot at goal moments later after an excellent pass from Adam Forshaw set him through, but his low drive went straight to Oxley's hands once more.

The Blues called loudly for a penalty on the half hour mark after a hefty challenge on Forshaw but the referee was quick to dismiss the Toffees' appeal.

Anton Peterlin tried an ambitious strike from long range after 34 minutes, sending the ball high over.

Turner was then called into action at the over end as the Tigers struck from distance but the Scot collected confidently.

A flurry of Everton chances ensued from Craig's corner just before half-time - Duffy eventually headed at goal but the keeper scrambled to save and deny Andy Holden's men once again.

The best chance of the game came right on the half-time whistle - Hull's Nathan Hanley fired a powerful drive at Turner who scrambled to clear with his legs. The rebound fell to Kamel Ghilas who hit the woodwork with a cracking volley, only for the offside flag raised before they eventually found the net.

This didn't stop the visitors trying once more to break the deadlock before then end of the half though, but right-back Aristote Nsiala cleared off the line before the referee ended the half.

The second period yielded few opportunities for both sides until another Craig corner forced Oxley to punch out and the ball landed at the feet of Forshaw whose right-footed volley looked set to put the Blues ahead, but a goal line clearance from the Hull defence kept the tie goalless.

Forshaw was the man to have Everton’s next chance four minutes from time as a crafty pass from Wallace set him up to strike, but frustratingly he was denied again by Oxley.

Hope Akpan then struck the side netting in a final attempt to steal three points for the Blues, but it ended goalless at Halton.