There was to be no dream debut for Troy Parrott or Japhet Tanganga in Tottenham's Carabao Cup clash at Colchester United but both youngsters acquitted themselves fairly well before being replaced just after the hour, with Spurs still chasing a breakthrough.
Parrott, 17, started as a lone striker with support from Dele Alli and Lucas Moura and he was a little starved of service as Spurs suffered for a lack of creativity in the centre of midfield.
The teenager had Spurs' first effort of a night, a scuffed shot which deflected for a corner, but finished the first half quietly, with Lucas at the heart of Spurs' best attacking moves.
The Irish Under-21 did have two chances after the interval, snatching at a left-footed effort which was blocked, before steering Eric Dier's low cross over the bar. Understandably, he was perhaps too eager to impress and he would have been frustrated when making way for Heung-min Son.
Tanganga, meanwhile, started on the left of a back three alongside Davinson Sanchez and Dier, and was barely tested defensively, with Colchester's threat coming after he was replaced by Christian Eriksen and Spurs changed shape.
The 20-year-old did occasionally struggle playing out from the back, once shanking a pass for Ben Davies straight out of play off his weaker left foot.
Spurs other young starter, Oliver Skipp, is already established in the first-team and was also hooked before the end, making way for Erik Lamela on 77 minutes.
The 19-year-old started shakily, reflecting his lack of minutes so far this season, but he made the visitors' best chance of the first half, turning the left-back and squaring for Alli, who steered wide.
Skipp grew in confidence as the game progressed and can at least hope to have leapfrogged the sloppy Victor Wanyama in Mauricio Pochettino's thinking.
