An inexperienced Blues Reserve side put in a sterling defence performance to earn themselves a 0-0 draw away at Stoke on Monday evening.

Terry Westley sent out a Blues side containing just three senior pro's in the shape of Liam Ridgewell Lee Carsley and keeper Colin Doyle

Ridgewell returned to the centre of defence, with Carsley playing just in front of him in midfield.

The Stoke starting XI included nine of the players who had beaten Blackpool in the first team's recent 3rd round Carling Cup tie.

There was also a place in the centre of the pitch for former Blues midfielder Salif Diao.

The game started with plenty of endeavour from both sides, but a lack of creativity caused mostly by a congested midfield.

It took 16 minutes for the first effort on goal and that fell to Stoke.

Colin Doyle failed to give his clearance enough air and the ball was slid through to Potters striker Tom Soares.

Soares found half-a-yard on marker Luke Rowe and let fly with a powerful shot, which Doyle managed to cling to at the second attempt.

On 25 minutes a neat bit of forward play from Stoke saw the ball reach Uruguayan Diego Arismendi just inside the Blues box, but with Doyle to beat he blasted over.

As the half progressed the more experienced home side were beginning to take control of the game and putting the Blues back four under some pressure.

However the Blues defence responded in kind with some firm but fair challenges.

The half came to a conclusion with Blues disappointingly failing to muster a single shot on the opposition goal.

Half time: Stoke Reserves 0 Blues Reserves 0

Both sides resumed after the break without either manager making any changes to their playing personnel.

Four minutes into the second half Blues finally created their chance on goal.

James O'Shea went on a mazy run on the left hand side of the box before shooting from some 20 yards, but his low effort flashed just to side of Steve Simonsen's post.

On 53 minutes Jake Jervis was cautioned for Blues for a lunging challenge on Danny Pugh.

Michael Tonge was next to try his luck when he cut inside on the left before trying a curling effort which fell a half a yard or so off target.

Just after the hour mark Andy Griffin put in a great cross from the left by-line to the far post, but a stretching Soare could only volley the ball over Doyle's goal.

The first substitution of the evening was made by Blues when Akwasi Asante came on for Jakub Hronec.

A minute later Stoke took off Amdy Faye and replaced him Louis Moult.

Stoke began to pepper the Blues box with lots of balls in, but Westley's players always seemed to get a head or foot to the ball first and clear the danger away.

With the game entering the final minutes Griffin again turned provider for his side with a clinical ball across the box into the path of Danny Pugh, but the Stoke man should have done better in keeping his strike down as it flew narrowly over.

Right on the stroke of 90 minutes Akwasi Asante let go with a terrific shot which was just off target. Then for Stoke Andy Wilkinson headed a powerful header over the bar.

Full time: Stoke Reserves 0 Blues Reserves 0

Blues: Colin Doyle, Dan Preston, Luke Rowe, Mitchell McPike (David Joyce 90), Jacob Rowe, Liam Ridgewell, James O'Shea (Nathan Redmond 87), Lee Carsley, Jake Jervis, Ashley Sammons, Jakub Hronec (Akwasi Asante 71).
Subs not used: Jamie Dunphy, Jack Butland.

Bookings: Jervis (54)

Stoke: Steve Simonsen, Andy Wilkinson, Andy Griffin, Amdy Faye (Louis Moult 72), Leon Cort, Danny Higginbotham, Danny Pugh, Salif Diao, Tom Soares, Diego Arismendi, Michael Tonge.
Subs not used: Matthew Lund, Dave Parton, Nathaniel Wedderburn.

Bookings Pugh (79)