With just one game to go in Premier League 2, the Reds increased the pressure on leaders Arsenal, who play their final fixture on Friday night away at West Ham United.
Critchley’s charges are two points behind the Gunners and host Chelsea in their last match, on a date still to be finalised.
Going into Monday night’s mini-derby, the young Reds were boosted by the inclusion of Melwood-based players Danny Ward, Dominic Solanke and Ben Woodburn.
And it was Solanke who set them on their way when he bagged the opening goal from the penalty spot, before Lewis Gibson turned a Rafael Camacho cross into his own net.