Albion’s PL2 side shared the points with Southampton at Keys Park on Monday night.
Things came to life after the break when Layton Love’s opener was cancelled out by Zach Awe's close-range finish, although neither side were able to find a crucial winning goal - meaning the young Baggies stretched their unbeaten run to two matches.
Southampton began in typical fashion, producing plenty of passing exchanges while trying to lure the home defence out of line.
That didn’t stop the hosts having the game’s first opportunity, though, with Heard latching onto a good cross courtesy of Harry Whitwell - whose tireless work turned a potential Saints goal kick into a great chance for the opener.
Still, Fenton couldn’t get the desired power on his eventual attempt - finding away keeper Josh McNamara in the way to stop on the line.
Whitwell would be next to test the visitors’ resolve, robbing centre-half Jayden Meghoma and bursting into the box for a shot which, unfortunately, he found McNamara in the way of once again.
At the other end, Southampton managed several final-third entries but didn’t force Ben Cisse in the Albion goal to pull off many notable saves - although he had to remain focused to punch Jake Vokins’ shot clear in the minutes leading top to the half-time whistle.
After having little to do during the early knockings, the Baggies’ young shot-stopper was at full stretch early into the second half - with the post coming to his rescue to stop Sam Amo-Ameyaw’s curling effort nestling into the top corner.
Soon, the game would spring into life with goals at either end.
Richard Beale’s men took the lead when good interplay between Alex Williams and Heard resulted in Love bundling in the opener, but parity would quickly be restored when Southampton defender Awe bundled in amongst of melee of bodies on the goal line from a cross.
Saints tried to force their authority on proceedings following the leveller but much like the first half, it was the Baggies who nearly got back ahead when substitute Eseosa Sule saw a rasping shot towards the near post saved by McNamara in the nick of time.
Fellow U18s team-mate Cole Deeming brought a save out of the Saints keeper, while Sule nearly found a winner for a second week in a row - but his attempt at the back post rolled past the goal line ensuring a share of the spoils on a cold night at Keys Park stadium.
Albion: Cisse, Williams, Hall ©️(Deeming 61), N.Phillips, Harper-Bailey (Richards 46), Nelson, Mfuamba, Whitwell (Sule 80), Heard, Love, Bostock (Higgins 67).
Unused subs: Foster.
