2 last-gasp goals from Liam Higgins and Tom Cannon send Everton through to the last 16 of the FA Trophy after a spirited second-half performance.
Paul Tait’s Everton under-23 side finished top of their FA Trophy group undefeated after draws with Morecombe and Harrogate Town and an emphatic 6-0 win over Hartlepool United.
The blues would still go into their round of 32 fixture with Mansfield Town at Goodison Park as underdogs, with the League 2 outfit currently sitting just outside the play-off places 19 games into the season.
They had also been knocked out of the FA Cup by Sheffield Wednesday in their previous fixture thanks to two late goals from Michael Smith, being 1-0 up at half-time on their trip to Hillsborough.
As expected, Everton would start the game on the back foot. It would not take the travelling side long to take the lead, with Rhys Oates heading home from at the back post from an early corner just 6 minutes into the game.
Mansfield would continue to dominate the first half, despite Everton’s superior possession. The blues would go into the half-time break trailing by a goal to nil.
However, Everton would start the second half on the front foot, with Francis Okoronkwo missing a good chance to draw his side level.
The pressure would continue from the toffees right up to the dying embers of the game and they would eventually earn their reward. Tom Cannon would tee up Liam Higgins to smash home in stoppage time, with the game now destined for penalties.
Tom Cannon would have a different idea. With almost the last kick of the game, the striker would have the ball in the back of the net to complete an astonishing turnaround and take his side through to the last 16.
FT. What an ending at Goodison! 🙌
Two injury-time goals from Higgins and Cannon stun Mansfield and put #EFCU21 through to the next round of the @PapaJohnsTrophy! 💙
Lincoln City (A) await in the last 16. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/MBCdcFKu64
— Everton Academy (@EvertonAcademy) November 30, 2022
Everton will now face Lincoln City in the next round of the FA Trophy and will hope to expand on what has been a brilliant campaign.