Rovers Reserves beat Everton in convicing fashion with a 3-0 victory at the Stobart Stadium.
A strong Rovers side made light work of their younger counterparts that featured former Rover Lucas Neill amongst their ranks.
After an entertaining opening in which both sides impressed with their passing play, it was Rovers who opened the scoring on 35 minutes when Steven Reid played a neat one-two with Junior Hoilett and finished well.
The lead was doubled just before the break when the lively Nikola Kalinić saw his shot across goal saved but Hoilett was on hand to tap home the rebound.
Rovers could have added more to their tally but only had Aaron Doran's 67th minute penalty to show for their domination.
On a night when there were plenty of positives from the Rovers performance, it ended on a disappointing note when Jackson Ramm was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Everton should have broken the deadlock as early as the 9th minute. Strong play by Kieran Agard through the middle saw him pick out Forshaw on the right wing, his centre was perfect for Jose Baxter, but as he rose unchallenged he headed wide of goal.
In a lively first half with both sides playing an attractive passing game, Junior Hoilett fired a free-kick narrowly over, before former Rover Lucas Neill ehaded straight at Jake Kean from a corner kick.
Striker Nikola Kalinić came close to opening the scoring for Rovers on 26 minutes, bursting past Neill the Croatian beat a second defender but Davies did well to save his effort with his legs.
Moments later Kalinić was in the thick of things once again, from a Steven Reid centre the 21-year-old let fly with an overhead kick that flew inches over.
The entertaining play continued and it was impressive move that saw Rovers break the deadlock on 35 minutes.
Steven Reid advanced through midfield to find Junior Hoilett, the Canadian clipped the ball back through for Reid and he steered the ball into the corner of the net.
Earlier in the game Everton had claims for a penalty waved away and the referee evened things up with five minutes of the half to go.
The pacy Martin Olsson fed Kalinić who timed his forward pass perfectly for the Swedish under 21 international, he had his heels clipped by Shane Duffy in the area but the man in black was unmoved.
Just before the break Rovers got a deserved second. Again Nikola Kalinić was involved, running towards goal he shot left-footed, Davies couldn't hold and that allowed Hoilett with a simple tap-in.
A third was almost added from the restart, Elrio van Heerden finding Hoilett on the right, he cut the ball back to Aaron Doran but he put his first time effort just wide of the post.
Hoilett was proving to be a real thorn in the Everton back line, riding the challenge of Bidwell he teed up Jason Lowe but the midfielder fired over the bar.
Steven Reid continued to show that he is close to getting back to full fitness with a hardworking hour that included a fine goal.
The chances continued to be created, defender Jackson Ramm impressed on his Reserve team debut, the 16-year-old latched onto a van Heerden pass to race into the area, he finds Kalinić with his pass but whilst the young striker did well to control the ball, he put the shot wide of goal.
Then Phil Jones fired over from Gavin Gunning's knockdown.
But Rovers finally got a third when from Kalinić's intelligent through ball Aaron Doran was brought down by the desparing dive of the Everton goalkeeper. Doran dusted himself down to make no mistake from the spot sending the 'keeper the wrong way.
Unfortunately Jackson Ramm's impressive debut was then brought to an unwanted end when the Academy starlet received his second booking of the game. The Everton winger falling dramatically under Ramm's challenge resulting in the Rovers defender being sent off.
That put a sour note on proceedings as his first outing for the Reserves had been impressive. That along with the strong displays of particularly Steven Reid, Nikola Kalinić and Junior Hoilett meant a pleasing evening for Iain Brunskill's side.
EVERTON: Davies, Neill, Bidwell, Wallace (sub Peterlin 74 mins), Duffy (sub McCarten 83 mins), Mustafi, Forshaw, Akpan, Baxter, Agard, Craig (sub Codling 64 mins).
Subs not used: Roberts (GK), Nsiala
ROVERS: Kean, Ramm, Olsson, Jones, Gunning, Lowe, van Heerden, Reid (sub Haworth 61 mins), Kalinić, Hoilett, Doran (sub Flynn 83 mins).
Subs not used: Swann (GK), Santa Cruz, Morrissey.
Booked: Reid, Olsson, Lowe, Ramm (Rovers).
Off: Ramm (Rovers).
Attendance: 422
