Sebastian Quirk’s first-half strike proved the difference as Everton Under-18s battled to a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough at USM Finch Farm.

Attacker Quirk’s 36th-minute strike opened the scoring in a tightly-contested first-half.

However, in a dominant second-half display, the young Blues had plenty of chances to build on their one-goal lead, with Tom Cannon and Lewis Dobbin both going close.

“I thought it was a scrappy game in difficult conditions,” manager Paul Tait told evertonfc.com.

“I think we missed a fair few chances and could probably have put ourselves in a better position. When it is 1-0 and you are missing key opportunities, you are always liable to concede at the other end.

“(At half-time) we talked about been solid and not giving away any chances, which is what we did in that second period.”

There was nothing to separate the two sides in a competitive opening half-an-hour, but the young Blues probably just edged their Teesside opponents.

Centre-back Dylan Thompson went closest after he almost directed Rhys Hughes’ pin-point free-kick on target.

As the half wore on, Tait’s side continued to carve out goalscoring opportunities. This time, it was Dobbin who almost put the Toffees in front.

However, the attacker failed to trouble Harry Flatters in the visitors' goal.

Soon enough, the breakthrough came. As Middlesbrough pushed forward, space opened up and Cannon set away Quirk. The winger then had the time and composure to calmly direct the ball home.

As the game entered the second period, Everton continued to press. Dobbin was causing all sorts of problems on the right and his cross found Cannon, who couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Wave after wave of Blues’ pressure followed as Everton searched for that elusive second. Dobbin and Cannon linked well once again, as the latter failed to test the Boro keeper.

The Blues successfully saw out the game, however, to complete a well-deserved victory.