Everton Under-23s suffered a setback in their Papa John's Trophy campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

The Cumbrians' on-loan forward Brad Young netted a goal in each half to consign the Blues to defeat against the two-time EFL Trophy winners.

David Unsworth’s side almost took the lead in stunning fashion when, with just 13 seconds on the clock, Rafael Garcia curled just over the crossbar following a neat interchange with Lewis Dobbin.

In a hotly-contested first half, the League 2 side thought they had taken the lead on 13 minutes, when former Everton defender Morgan Feeney put the ball in the net after a scramble in the box - only to be denied by the assistant referee's offside flag.

But the hosts were not to be denied on the stroke of half time, as Young guided a cross past a helpless Jack Barrett, who had made an incredible one-handed save to deny the Carlisle striker minutes earlier.

Chris Beech’s side then doubled their lead on 67 minutes, when Young’s header looped over Barrett after a flick on from Feeney. 

Dobbin, who made his Premier League debut in Everton's 2-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday, came close to responding two minutes later - but goalkeeper Lukas Jensen rushed off his line to meet the youngster and keep the two-goal deficit in tact.

Dobbin went close again in the 82nd minute, pouncing on Feeney’s loose clearance and but Jensen was once again on hand to keep it out.

The result leaves Everton in second place in Group A, with three points after their victory at Morecambe in the opening game. 

Next up for Unsworth's side is a trip to Hartlepool on 9 November, with aspirations of sealing a place in the knockout stages in the competition on the agenda.