ADAM Peek believes Southend Manor put in their best performance of the summer as they drew 1-1 with the Bowers & Pitsea Under-23s.
Larry Akanbi grabbed Manor's goal at the Len Salmon Stadium.
And Peek felt there were positive signs to come from the friendly.
"It was probably our best performance of pre-season," said the Manor boss.
"Some of Bowers' boys will move into the first team soon because they are one of the best young sides I have seen.
"It was a good workout for us and we are starting to establish the majority of our squad.
"The last three or four games have been about experimenting and we have cut down on the amount of players we have so we are now down to 20.
"It was a solid performance and we were very good in the first half.
"We tired in the second half but, overall, I was pleased."
Peek was also keen to praise Akanbi after the summer arrival got his name on the scoresheet.
"Larry has scored a few goals in pre-season and he is settling in well," added Peek, who is preparing his side for another campaign of Essex Senior League football.
"He is missing more chances than he is scoring, but that is to be expected in pre-season.
"Larry has Isthmian League experience and it is fantastic that we have been able to bring him in.
"We also have some young players on dual registration terms who have joined us from Hullbridge Sports and they have impressed me. There have been positive signs."
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