On paper a 1-1 draw against Lincolnshire FA sounded like a good result for Northumberland FA – but the U18 side left Woodhorn Lane on Saturday recollecting on what could have been.

North’s management team seemed puzzled after they failed to win the game, and that feeling persisted after the full time whistle as Kane Wears vented his frustrations.

“When it comes to the league at the end of the season, these chances determine if you win it or not," said Youth Team manager.

“I’m just hoping that we don’t look back in a couple of months and say that cost us.

“It's a learning curve for us - we had about 10 chances in that second half.”

Lincolnshire, like North, had won their opening game in the division, but Saturday’s draw ended in exasperation for the home side as North failed to convert their chances.

North’s teenage forward, Jackson Ward was a standout figure, grabbing the first goal of the game before being amongst numerous chances in the second half.

And his performance will no doubt leave parent club Morpeth Town with a headache in terms of team selection over the coming weeks.

“We always thought that going into the game we could have picked three points up,” added Wears.

“But my players were buzzing after the game because we have had to dig deep.

“We didn’t manage to get that final goal but we created chances and we have shown that we can put a good side on the back foot.

“Jackson’s performance was the first thing I mentioned at half time, the run that he made just off his defender is what makes him an unbelievable player and one of the best in the county.”

Wears’ side now sit second in the table with a game in hand over league leaders North Riding, whom they play next month at Whitley Park.

The North Yorkshire outfit have started the season in fine form – winning two of their opening three league games including a 5-4 victory over rivals West Riding.

“We knew North Riding were playing so we will look at that but at the end of the day we just have to make sure that we work hard and play to our principles,” added Wears.

“Credit to the North Riding manager, they are very organised and work hard – they will be a tough team to play against.

“But we have come up against [Lincolnshire], one of the best teams in the league, and bossed the game for 90 minutes so we really have a point to prove in the next game.”