Vertu TrophyMatch report: Liverpool U21s fight back for shootout success at Chesterfield

The Reds had several good chances during Tuesday night's group-stage tie but fell behind to quickfire efforts from Bailey Hobson and Dylan Duffy midway through the second half.

Gordon struck back for Rob Page's charges with an assured finish that set up an interesting final quarter-hour versus senior opponents.

And, indeed, there was stoppage-time action as Gordon capitalised on an error to sweep in an excellent equaliser.

A penalty shootout ensued to decide a bonus point and Liverpool prevailed 11-10 after a marathon round of kicks.

They do, though, bow out of the competition before the knockout phases, having needed to win in normal time at SMH Group Stadium.

The game's early exchanges were evenly contested, though without much in the way of work for either goalkeeper to attend to.

Liverpool strung together a promising move 17 minutes in that led to a chance for their captain on the night, Calvin Ramsay.

Play was worked to the edge of the opposition box for Gordon, who circled the defenders along the left and hooked in a cross that Ramsay met with a header just over.

The Reds created a golden opportunity to break the deadlock on the cusp of the half-hour mark.

Ramsay swept a pass in behind down the right to send Joe Bradshaw clean through and carry the ball into a one-on-one against home goalkeeper Ryan Boot.

Bradshaw's low finish was blocked by Boot's left boot and the Liverpool forward's attempt to nod in the rebound went too high.

Attacking via that right flank was fruitful for the visitors again soon after. Gordon, this time, ducked infield and curled a shot that Boot pushed away.

Fabian Mrozek had to clear his lines with a punch from a Chesterfield long throw flicked goalwards, but Page's team were otherwise relatively comfortable.

As rain fell ever more heavily, Bradshaw headed off target when found unmarked by a deep corner from the left-hand side before half-time.

The League Two hosts were more front-footed from the start of the second half, with the Reds finding it more difficult to make inroads.

Chesterfield's screw turning paid dividends twice in as many minutes just past the hour.

The opener came when a hoist into the Liverpool area was cleared out to the edge, from where Hobson made a shooting angle. His low drive took a deflection and went through the grasp of a disappointed Mrozek.

A second goal followed almost immediately.

The Reds surrendered possession inside their own box, allowing Will Dickson to feed the ball back to Duffy for a clinical, lashed strike into the far corner.

Mrozek then gloved out a bobbler from John Fleck that might have been creeping inside the post.

Substitute Josh Sonni-Lambie could have provided Liverpool with a response as he got through with time to shape an effort, but he side-footed a couple of yards wide.

Seconds later, though, there was a lifeline. Sonni-Lambie pounced on a short Chesterfield back-pass and unselfishly teed up Gordon, who dispatched with aplomb.

A vital block thwarted Wellity Lucky - picked out at the far post by Josh Davidson - in the last minute as the hosts seemed set to see out a win.

But a short Boot kick out in the second minute of added time was closed down and promptly tucked in by Gordon to claim a draw.

And the Reds grabbed the bonus point offered in a post-match shootout, emerging from 24 penalties with an 11-10 victory.

Team

Mrozek, Ramsay (Kelly, 85), R. Williams, Lucky, Pinnington, Davidson, Laffey, Pilling, Onanuga (Pitt, 71), Bradshaw (Sonni-Lambie, 71), Gordon.

Unused subs: Hall, Miles, Spearing, Airoboma.