SOUTHEND United were held to a 0-0 draw by Leinster Senior League side Bellyformot United in Ireland tonight.

The Shrimpers wasted good opportunities to score with Josh Walker going close before trialist midfielder Rafferty Pedder hit the post late on.

But the hosts also had chances in front of goal with only a brilliant save from Collin Andeng Ndi stopping Lorcan Kelly scoring for the hosts.

Ballyfermot threatened first with Dylan Nolan having a cross-shot from the left hand side pushed away by Blues goalkeeper Andeng Ndi.

But the Shrimpers replied with Danny Waldron sending a deflected left footed shot wide of the right post before Josh Walker wasted a huge chance to open the scoring as he fired past the right upright when clean through on goal.

Walker then had a well-struck shot tipped over by Ballyfermot goalkeeper Mikey Quinn before the home-side’s custodian pushed another effort from Walker onto the crossbar.

Moments later, Jack Wood sent a deflected effort straight at Quinn before Darryl Henderson had a shot tipped over by Andeng Ndi in the opening action of the second half before a free-kick from Jordan Lawless flashed just wide of the left post from the right hand side.

Blues immediately hit back with Wood slicing a right footed shot wide of the right post when well placed in the penalty area before the wing-back sent another effort over the crossbar following a left wing corner from Morton.

Danny Waldron then nodded over another corner from Morton before trialist Rafferty Pedder showed good feet in the left hand side of the box before seeing a low shot blocked at his near post by Quinn.

After surviving the scares, Ballyfermot came close to taking the lead themselves when a well-struck shot from Lorcan Kelly seemed destined for the top left hand corner of the net, only for Andeng Ndi to impressively tip the ball over the crossbar.

With play switching back to the other end of the field Wood then tapped an inviting left wing cross wide of the right post but Blues came even closer to scoring late on when Pedder cut in from the left hand side before firing a low shot against the foot of the left post.

Southend United: Andeng Ndi, Wood, Taylor, Kensdale, Gubbins, Bridge (Coker 77), MacDonald, Pedder, Morton, Walker (Faulkner 46), Waldron.