Abel Xavier completed a full 90 minutes as he regains match fitness following a recent viral infection, while Patrice Luzi got a chance in goal.
Neil Mellor was absent and is expected to be named in the squad for Liverpool's game with Vitesse Arnhem on Thursday night.
"I thought the boys were excellent once again following on from our win last Thursday against Blackburn," said McAuley after the game. "We had a very young team playing against a strong City side who are top of the reserve league.
"It was a good exciting game of football that could have gone either way but I felt we deserved something out of the game and a draw was a fair result.
"Mark Smyth and Robbie Foy did well again up front. Both players have a lot of pace and can take people on. They are goal threats and we caused them all sorts of problems, but needed to capitalise on one or two situations in the first half.
"David Raven and Stephen McNulty did very well again at centre half. Both those players played very well against Blackburn last week when Matt Jansen was up front.
"They showed their competitive spirit and we are pleased with them. They are making excellent progress."
Team: Luzi, Xavier, Otsemobor, McNulty, Raven, Foley-Sheridan, Potter (Peers 76), Welsh, Smyth, Foy, Sjolund.
Subs not used: Vaughan, Harrison, Wright, Flynn.