Everton Under-18s were edged out 1-0 by Derby County in a closely-contested FA Youth Cup third-round tie on Wednesday night.

Eiran Cashin’s first-half strike proved the difference at Pride Park and the Rams advance in the competition.

Paul Tait's young Blues produced a spirited second-half performance as they searched for a leveller, with Sean McAllister and Mackenzie Hunt both going close.

Everton started the game brightly and, with not even a minute on the clock, Hunt's fierce effort stung the palms of Derby keeper Bradley Foster-Theniger.

However, after a sustained period of pressure, the hosts took the lead on 10 minutes when Cashin guided the ball past Jack McIntyre in the Blues' goal.

As the contest wore on, Everton gradually started to gain a foothold in the game.

The Toffees were agonisingly close to grabbing an equaliser when McCallister saw his effort bounce back off the post before Hunt's rebound was palmed away by the Derby keeper.

As the Blues continued to press, Hunt once again saw an effort flash across the hosts' box before Sebastian Quirk's right-footed effort fizzed past the post.

Everton committed men forward in the final stages but wave after wave of Blues attacks were repelled by the home side

Substitute Tom Cannon saw a shot well-blocked before Quirk watched his effort drift high and wide.

Ryan Astley came inches from drawing the Toffees level in the dying minutes but it wasn't to be as Derby clung on to their one-goal advantage.