A young Academy side came away from Sunderland's Academy of Light with a very creditable 1-1 draw on Saturday morning thanks to a single goal from Ireland under-17 striker Dave Heagney (pictured).

Sunderland manager Roy Keane was in attendance as Heagney beat Sunderland 'keeper Martin Hunter from the edge of the box with a dipping shot after 20 minutes to give the young Terriers the lead.

However, the home side got a deserved share of the spoils when Nathan Luscombe slipped in the overlapping full-back Michael Liddle in the 76th minute, whose cross was turned in by Josh Home-Jackson past on-loan goalkeeper Aaron Jameson.

Town lined up in their customary 4-3-3 formation as the game kicked off, with Jameson protected by a back four of (from left to right); Liam Ridehalgh, Daniel Codman, Spencer Harris and Dave Pickering. The midfield trio of Lewis Nightingale, Lewis Collinson and Stephen Brook lined up ahead of them with Dave Heagney flanked on both sides by Luke Durham and under-16 striker Jimmy Spencer.

Whereas Town's side predominantly consisted of first-year scholars - barring second-year defender Danny Codman - Sunderland played two overage players and a side made up of second-years. The home side did enjoy a majority of the possession, but the Town XI defended brilliantly throughout and kept a very well-disciplined shape.

Under-18 manager Graham Mitchell told htafc.com that he was proud of his side's performance.

"I put out a very young side this weekend and they worked very, very hard in what will have been a great experience for them against a very good Sunderland side. One of their players has already made his first-team debut, whereas our team consisted primarily of first-year scholars and one under-16 player in James Spencer.

"It was also great to come away with a positive result and the lads adapted very well when we switched to 3-5-2 at half-time."

Town's Team:

Aaron Jameson, David Pickering (Jack Hunt 65), Liam Ridehalgh, Stephen Brook, Spencer Harris, Daniel Codman, Lewis Nightingale, Lewis Collinson, Dave Heagney, Jimmy Spencer (Danny Barlow 25), Luke Durham (Leigh Franks 46)

Unused Subs: Curtis Roberts, Luke Williams