NORWICH City's Under-23s played out a 0-0 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in their final Premier League 2 game of the 2016-17 season at Carrow Road on Monday evening.

Both sides had their best chances in the first half, although neither was able to find the breakthrough goal as the game ended in stalemate.

Senior professionals Paul Jones and Michael Turner were named in the City XI, alongside defender Ryan Johnson who was included as part of his trial period from Stevenage.

Matt Gill's youngsters looked to get on the front foot early on, captain Jamal Lewis breaking down the left before cutting back for Diallang Jaiyesimi who fired just wide with a first-time effort.

The away side threatened next on 18 minutes, Joe Ward lofting over the crossbar having been picked out by a long-range pass from Seagulls goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Midway through the first half the visitors went close once again, this time a superb save from Jones denying Harry Cardwell after the forward had been sent through one-on-one.

An end-to-end opening period continued with Benny Ashley-Seal doing brilliantly to carry into the Brighton box under considerable pressure before firing just over.

City pressed again ahead of the interval, but their attempts to find the opener came at a cost; Michee Efete forced off after colliding with Sanchez in the Brighton goal while contesting a loose ball.

A generally low-key second half offered little in the way of meaningful opportunities until past the hour-mark, Brighton's Tyler Forbes cutting inside from the right before curing just wide.

Neither goalkeeper was seriously tested until Glenn Middleton fired low at Sanchez with little over ten minutes remaining, that strike providing the catalyst for some sustained City pressure late on.

Joe Crowe's drive from distance was deflected just wide, before Ebou Adams also found a defender in his way as he looked to rifle home from deep inside the area.

Their attacking intent would prove to be in vain however, the game ultimately ending all-square after Max Sanders struck the base of the post in stoppage-time for Brighton.

City's next game takes them to Reading's Madejski Stadium on Sunday to contest the Premier League Cup semi-final.

FULL-TIME: Norwich City 0-0 Brighton

NORWICH CITY: Jones; Efete (Aarons, 45), Turner (Odusina, 61) Johnson, Lewis (c); Crowe, Grant; Jaiyesimi (Hlynsson, 82), Adams, Middleton; Ashley-Seal. Subs not used: Oxborough (GK), Higgs.

UNDER-23s: CITY 0-0 BRIGHTON

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