Everton Under 23s moved into second place in Premier League Cup Group D with a well-deserved 1-0 win at Peterborough United.

A well-created and well-taken goal from Stanley Mills in the 77^th minute was the difference between the two teams.

Everton, who lost 3-0 at home to Peterborough at the start of the month, turned the tables with a determined display at the Weston Homes Stadium.

The match was a slow burner and it took a while for either side to carve out an opening worthy of the name.

Everton came close just after the half hour mark. Rhys Hughes did really well to win two challenges in the middle of the park before feeding the ball to Tom Cannon, who was unlucky to see his low shot tipped wide by Dan Gyollai in the home goal.

At the other end, Joe Taylor delayed too long when through on goal and the chance for Peterborough was gone and then Harry Tyrer did well to dash off his line and smother the ball as Andrew Oluwabori threatened to get behind the defensive line.

Hughes had a good game for The Toffees and his well struck shot just before the break stung the hands of the keeper.

Everton started the second period on the front foot with both Cannon and Isaac Price testing the keeper and Hughes firing over after being teed up by Joe Anderson.

Posh had their moments too. Tyrer was well positioned again to save a header from Emmanuel Fernandez and he also did well to save a well-struck effort from Joe Taylor

Everton were the better team though and created more chances.

Joe Anderson crashed an angled drive just over and then Cannon found himself through on goal only to be denied by Gyollai.

The winning goal was a cracker. Hughes intercepted a poorly executed Peterborough free-kick in an advanced position and released the ball to Whitaker who carried it forward before playing a superb pass to Mills on the right. Mills kept his composure and drilled an unerring finish past the goalkeeper.

With four minutes left, Lewis Warrington almost doubled the lead with a great shot from outside the box that beat the keeper but came back into play off the crossbar.

A well-fought win for the travelling youngsters who will look to carry the momentum into Monday night's match against Leeds United.

Official Members and Season Ticket Holders can watch the Under-23s final match of 2021 on evertonfc.com as the action gets underway from the LNER Community Stadium at 7pm (GMT).

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PREMIER LEAGUE 2 MATCH BETWEEN LEEDS UNITED U23S AND EVERTON U23S