Everton Under-23s suffered a first pre-season loss in a behind-closed-doors contest at Carlisle United on Tuesday.
The game against the League Two club followed three friendly victories for David Unsworth’s side.
And a young Everton team were twice on course for a fourth straight win in Cumbria.
They went in front on seven minutes through Tom Cannon and retook the lead when 16-year-old Eli Campbell (pictured) struck on 66 minutes after a first-half Jon Mellish equaliser.
Carlisle’s second equaliser arrived on 83 minutes, when Lewis Bell drove home, and 60 seconds later former Everton Academy player Manasse Mampala bent in a terrific finish for the winner.
Unsworth’s team have two remaining warm-up games – against the National League North pair of Chorley and Southport – before travelling to Blackburn Rovers on 16 August for their opening Premier League 2 fixture.
Carlisle, by contrast, are finalising preparations for the new season, with a game against Colchester United on 7 August launching their Football League campaign.
Aaron Hayden headed Carlisle’s first chance past the post before Cannon pounced to lift a shot into the roof of the net and score his sixth goal in five pre-season games – including the opener in the First-Team’s practice match victory over Accrington Stanley.
Zach Clough walloped the post with a free-kick in response for the hosts.
But there was no let-off for Everton when former Bolton Wanderers player Clough directed a 20th-minute volley against the bar, Mellish first to the rebound to convert.
Magnus Norman, Carlisle’s goalkeeper, was almost undone by a cross that thudded the inside of a post soon after the restart.
And Everton regained their advantage midway through the half when Campbell forced the ball home from a corner.
Carlisle came again, however, Bell striding forward to level and pave the way for Mampala to have the final say.
Everton Under-23s go to Chorley on Tuesday 3 August and complete their pre-season programme at Southport on Saturday 7 August.
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