STEVE SIMONSEN and Peter Clarke were the only players with Premiership experience in an Everton reserves side which held a strong Newcastle team at Whitley Park.
In stark contrast to the Blues' line-up, the Magpies fielded a number of big names including Craig Bellamy, returning from injury, Titus Bramble and Shola Ameobi.
The home side did have the better of the early exchanges with Bellamy and Orr both being denied by good goalkeeping from Simonsen, (pictured).
Everton's attack found it difficult to find a way through but Michael Symes did cause problems for the home defence on the stroke of half-time, going close with a clever shot which went just wide.
Michael Chopra and Darren Ambrose both did well early in the second half, but again Simonsen was on hand to keep the home side out.
By now the heavily sanded pitch was becoming a mud-bath but still Everton defended stoutly with Bellamy frustrated again and further chances were cleared from Hugo Viana and Ambrose as the game went into the latter stages.
In fact it was Everton who came closest to finding the breakthrough when with just minutes remaining Gavin Lynch found space in the box only for Bramble to clear the danger.
It was a well-deserved point for the youngsters together with a good performance in goal from Simonsen.
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