Everton Under-23s were beaten 3-1 in their Merseyside derby encounter with Liverpool at Southport after falling victim to a rough first-half penalty decision.
Striker Fraser Hornby was penalised following an innocuous looking tussle with Reds defender Conor Masterson, enabling Dominic Solanke to convert the resultant 25th-minute spot-kick.
The Blues, who had been firmly in the ascendancy prior to the opening goal, were two behind on 29 minutes, when Rafael Camacho rifled in a deflected strike. Liverpool defender Nat Phillips forced home a third with 15 minutes remaining – before substitute Bassala Sambou struck a late consolation for David Unsworth’s team.