Southend United's latest pre-season friendly ended in a 0-0 draw with Rushden and Diamonds on Wednesday evening.
Blues boss Paul Sturrock was left encouraged after the match, with a vastly improved performance from the one he had witness at Salisbury City last Friday.
The Southend chief was able to experiment with a 4-3-3 formation at Nene Park with Matt Paterson, Scott Spencer and Latvian trialist Vitalijs Zils in attack.
Although the frontline were unable to break the deadlock it was Southend who were the first to threaten when a quickly taken free kick gave Scott Spencer a snap shot at goal.
Moments later Spencer was back in the thick of the action as he had a strong shot turned round the post by Dale Roberts in the Diamonds goal.
One of United's best chances fell to striker Matt Paterson who one-on-one with keeper Roberts looked destine to score only for his effort to be charged down by the shot-stopper.
After 15 minutes Rushden were awarded a free kick 30-yards from goal, which forced Southend keeper Glenn Morris to smartly push the impressive Lee Tomlin's strike over his United crossbar.
Southend's best chance to score then followed when Craig Easton's inch perfect ball found the head of Spencer. Although his knock down was going wide Anthony Grant raced in at the back post to stab the ball against the upright when it looked easier to score.
A mistake by Matt Lockwood, only playing because of injuries to Johnny Herd and Peter Gilbert having trained with the club for the past week as he looks for football elsewhere, gifted Sam Smith a half chance but Morris was quickly out to deal with the threat.
Southend continued to press looking for the opener but were unable to carve out any clear cut chances before referee Andy Woolmer blew for half time.
Manager Sturrock made two changes after the break with central midfielder Josh Simpson, on trial from Peterborough United with a view of a loan, replacing Craig Easton and keeper Rhys Evans on for Morris between the sticks.
The second half started much the same as the first 45 minutes ended with Southend continuing to take the game to the home team without creating any clear cut chances.
Simpson looked lively and sent youngster Harry Crawford in on goal but the keeper beat the 18-year-old to the ball and smothered the chance.
It was that pair that combined well again soon after with Crawford unleashing a powerful shot straight at custodian Roberts.
Sean Clohessy's free-kick then found Matt Philips in space but the centre back didn't get enough on his shot, hitting it tamely at the keeper.
Simpson then stole possession 30-yards from goal and fired a stinging drive that Roberts saved before substitute Louie Soares made an immediate impact showing real pace to beat Jamie Day and win a throw-in on the edge of the Diamonds penalty area.
But despite controlling the game and looking comfortable from front to back scoring opportunities proved elusive for the Blues as the match petered out.
Southend: Glenn Morris (Rhys Evans 46), Sean Clohessy, Matt Lockwood, Craig Easton (Josh Simpson 46), Luke Prosser, Mark Phillips, Merrick James-Lewis (Ben Gill 62), Anthony Grant (Will Hendry 62), Vitalijs Zils (Harry Crawford 56), Matt Paterson (Barry Corr 75), Scott Spencer (Louie Soares 77).
Subs not used: Bilel Mohsni
