Everton Under-18s fought back from 2-0 down to progress to the FA Youth Cup fourth round with a 4-2 extra-time win over Wigan Athletic in Southport.

The young Blues were left with a mountain to climb when they trailed by two goals before the half-hour mark.

But Matthew Mallon gave Paul Tait’s side hope with a neat finish ahead of the interval – with Tom Cannon also missing a penalty.

Defender Reece Welch restored parity midway through the second half and, as Everton took full control of the tie, their dominance was rewarded in extra-time courtesy of Cannon’s pinpoint curling finish and a second for the striker from the spot.

It was comfortable in the end for Tait’s team to progress – but it had looked anything but early into the clash. Moments after Cannon stung the palms of keeper Owen Mooney having been played through by a sublime Isaac Price through ball, Wigan took the lead on 19 minutes.

Sean McGurk collected possession just inside the Blues half and threaded a pass wide left to Harry McHugh whose first-time shot deflected off Welch and into the far corner.

Everton went close to levelling on 23 minutes. Cannon was pulled down by Kieran Lloyd in what looked inside the area. A free-kick was given instead which Charlie Whitaker swung into the box, hit Wigan’s defensive wall and deflected into Harry Hagan who nodded over from close range.

The hosts were dealt a further blow when dangerous left wing-back Thierry Small was forced off having taken a knock early in the tie.

And the night got worse as Wigan doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark. Baba Adeeko slid a pass into McGurk on the edge of the area who had time to turn and plant a low finish into the left-hand corner.

A quick response from Everton was crucial and it duly arrived four minutes later thanks to superb work from Price. The midfielder slid in to win the ball on halfway, picked himself up and curled a sumptuous through ball into Mallon who took a touch before slotting past Mooney.

A breathless first half continued when the young Blues were awarded a penalty on 39 minutes as a delightful exchange of passing between Onyango, Whitaker, Cannon and Price saw the latter two combine before Cannon was bundled over as he shaped to shoot.

The striker picked himself up to take the spot-kick but his low effort was saved by Mooney.

Despite that setback, Everton took control of the contest after the break and their dominance was rewarded with a leveller just before the hour. Price was the creator once more as his deep corner was met at the back post by Sean McAllister. The substitute’s header was cleared off the line but Welch was on hand to fire home from close range.

The Blues continued to tighten their grip on the game and, with Whitaker a constant attacking source, the winner nearly came before the end of normal time as Mallon – excellent all night at right wing-back – lofted an exquisite cross to the back post where Cannon’s header was cleared off the line.

It was so nearly goal number three from the resulting corner, too, when Price nodded wide with the net set to bulge.

Extra-time it was, then, and it didn’t take long for Everton to find the breakthrough. With 30 seconds gone, Price fed Whitaker as the playmaker passed to Cannon on the left edge of the area and the forward did the rest with a superb curled finish into the far corner.

And the spirited comeback was complete just before half-time, Cannon playing in substitute Rafa Garcia and, when the striker had his heels clipped, Cannon made no mistake from the penalty spot this time around.