Match reportMax Woltman scores late equaliser to earn Liverpool U21s draw at Everton

Stanley Mills scored the opening goal of the mini-derby at Southport FC's Haig Avenue with a well-taken finish early in the first half.

Reds goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga was in inspired form and Barry Lewtas' side were able to salvage something from the encounter with substitute Woltman's tap-in after the hosts went down to 10 players late on.

The game got under way after a period of silence to pay respect to those who lost their lives in the Hillsborough tragedy, on the day after the 34th anniversary.

Liverpool enjoyed the contest's first chance, Harvey Blair forcing a good save from Billy Crellin, but found themselves behind after 12 minutes.

A simple Einar Iversen ball over the top was met by the pacy Mills and he calmly clipped over Pitaluga in the visitors' net.

Everton crafted a number of opportunities in the remainder of the first half to add to their lead.

Jenson Metcalfe delivered a hugely threatening free-kick into the box that somehow evaded everyone in blue, before Francis Okoronkwo and Mills had unsuccessful efforts at goal.

Pitaluga was forced into a pair of important saves early in the second period. First, he got down low to keep out a Mills hit and then came out on top in a one-v-one situation with Okoronkwo.

Sandwiched between those interventions were encouraging moments for Liverpool, with James Norris just firing wide from distance and Billy Koumetio smothered by Crellin inside the area following a free-kick.

Crellin ensured it stayed 1-0 with a quick-reaction save just past the hour mark to deny Ben Doak after a Koumetio knockdown from a set-piece.

Meanwhile at the other end, Pitaluga was called into action again, frustrating Okoronkwo further with strong hands.

The Reds ramped up the pressure towards the end and their cause was aided when Ishe Samuels-Smith was dismissed in the 87th minute for picking up a second yellow card.

They drew level three minutes later when Woltman, who replaced Bobby Clark, was in position at the back post to nudge home a brilliant cross from Owen Beck.

As both teams then searched for a winner, Beck was required in his own penalty area to cut out Mills' intended square for Okoronkwo, saving a certain goal.

And that wasn't the full-back's final involvement as he was agonisingly wide with a powerful hit from way outside the area deep into added time.

Liverpool U21s: Pitaluga, Stephenson, Koumetio, Jonas, Beck, Corness, Norris, Clark (Woltman, 79), Doak, Stewart, Blair (Frauendorf, 70).

Unused substitutes: Hughes, Olufunwa, Hill.