SOUTHEND United held Premier League new boys Norwich City to a 0-0 draw in an uneventful friendly at Roots Hall tonight.

Paul Sturrock’s battling side more than held their own against the Canaries.

But there were very few goalscoring chances for either side in what proved to be a flat fixture.

Despite the stalemate, Southend started strongly and, with five minutes on the clock Bilel Mohsni, who again figured as a forward, headed over a right wing cross from Sean Clohessy.

With Blues remaining on top, Ryan Hall volleyed wide of the left post from 25 yards before Luke Prosser headed a left wing corner from Hall past the left post.

City soon hit back with Wes Hoolahan almost latching on to an under-hit backpass from Blues skipper Chris Barker but Southend goalkeeper Glenn Morris rushed out to stop Hoolahan in his tracks before a relieved Barker cleared the danger.

With 27 minutes on the clock, Hoolahan rolled the ball in to the path of Steve Morison who fired a well struck 20 yard shot over the crossbar but Southend were soon attacking again.

As a result, Mohsni turned to fire a scuffed eight yard shot wide of the left post before his strike partner Neil Harris saw a well struck 25 yard shot palmed away by Norwich goalkeeper Declan Rudd.

With play then switching back towards the South Stand goal, Hoolahan had a similar effort pushed over the crossbar by Morris and, in the 40th minute, the Blues keeper easily smothered a long range free-kick from David Fox.

At the start of the second period, City’s Andrew Surman sent a delicate 18 yard chip just inches over the crossbar before the former Southampton midfielder also warmed the hands of Morris with a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area.

But, in the 65th minute, it was Blues’ turn to almost open the scoring as Mohsni jumped high to head a deep , left wing ball in to the box from Prosser against the top of the crossbar from 16 yards.

A series of substitutions then took place for the visitors with every outfield player being changed in quite quick succession before Blues made their first change in the 69th minute with Alassane N’Diaye coming on for Jemal Johnson.

Lee Sawyer soon also came on to replace Jean-Paul Kalala but there remained little activity in front of goal for either side.

Mohsni fired well wide in the 85th minute after being teed up by Ryan Hall before Morris kept out a late free-kick from City’s Chris Martin to ensure the game ended goalless.

Southend United: Morris, Clohessy, Phillips, Barker, Prosser, Hall (Leonard 89), Grant, Kalala (Sawyer 76), Johnson (N’Diaye 69), Mohsni, Harris

Subs not used: Gilbert, Coughlan, Bentley & Asante.