The unbeaten home record of Albion's under-23s came to a cruel end tonight.

They lost 2-1 to Premier League 2 leaders Everton at the Lancing training complex.

The first team will be hoping for better fortune when the clubs meet at Goodison Park tomorrow.

Simon Rusk's third-placed youngsters dominated after presenting Everton with an early lead but had only Aaron Connolly's late consolation, his 12th goal in 14 games, to show for their efforts.

Everton were gifted the lead in the 13th minute. Keeper Hugo Keto, trying to play out from the back, was caught in possession by Nathangelo Markelo who tapped in.

Albion pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages of the first half.

They had claims for a penalty when George Cox was brought down, according to referee Christopher O'Donnell just outside rather than inside the lefthand edge of the box.

Anders Dreyer's drive from Markus Suttner's ensuing free-kick was deflected off target.

Conolly went close to adding to his tally shortly before the break, Everton keeper Joe Hilton smothering him at the near post from a Viktor Gyokeres cross.

The Argus: The push for parity continued in the second half. Gyokeres had an angled shot tipped over by Hilton and, from the resulting corner, Ben White (above) could not convert from close range at the far post.

Gyokeres, cautioned following a foul which sparked a flare-up, also had a cross-shot held by Hilton.

Mathias Normann was unlucky not to reward Albion's superiority 12 minutes from time with a curling effort from outside the box against the crossbar.

Josh Bowler gave Everton a flattering advantage in the 85th minute with a shot from distance which flew past Keto.

Connolly halved the arrears five minutes later from a corner after Hilton fumbled.

The result stretches the gap between the sides to five points. They are divided by Derby, the only other team to have beaten Albion this season.

Albion (4-4-1-1): Keto; White, Barclay, O'Hora (A.Davies 74), Suttner; Dreyer (J. Davies 68), Normann, Sanders, Cox (Tilley 82); Gyokeres; Connolly.

Subs: Cochrane, Collings.