Albion's gallant run in the FA Youth Cup is over.

They were beaten 2-0 by Everton in the fifth round at Goodison Park tonight.

The tie was won and lost in the opening 12 minutes, when the Seagulls conceded twice in quick succession.

Mark Beard's under-18s controlled the second half but could not find a way back against the three-times winners and four-times runners-up.

Beard named the side that caused an upset by winning at Manchester United in the fourth round after knocking out West Ham in round three.

They had a scare two minutes into the contest when Ryan Astley headed against the bar from a corner.

The reprieve was short lived, captain Michael Collins rifling Everton into a tenth minute lead after exchanging passes with Anthony Gordon.

The deficit doubled two minutes later, Ellis Simms, on target on his debut for the under-23s against Albion in October, outmuscled Kasper Lopata to find the roof of the net from an acute angle.

Albion were shell shocked by the double blow before gradually working their way back into the game.

The hosts hit the bar again from a short corner routine in the first half, Elliot Richards heading against the woodwork from Mackenzie Hunt's cross.

Collins and Gordon, who played in the Europa League for Everton's first team last season and has attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, caused problems down the left.

Gordon went off injured early in the second half and Albion, spurred on by Haydon Roberts and substitute Mark Leonard, started to exert control without seriously threatening.

The Argus: Ryan Longman had an effort cleared from a glancing header by team-mate Danny Cashman (above).

They could have fallen further behind, keeper Rocco Rees foiling Simms when he latched onto a long ball and Korede Adedoyin curling narrowly wide from 15 yards.

Cashman and Longman in Albion's attack were kept on a tight rein by the Everton defence.

The Seagulls had a chance to set up a tense finish when Longman's cross was headed over at the far post by substitute Lorent Tolaj from close range four minutes from time.

That could have made the hosts nervy after relinquishing a two-goal lead in the previous round against Stoke before progressing on penalties.

Instead Everton are now looking forward to a quarter-final trip to West Brom.

Beard's young charges, meanwhile, can reflect on a fine run in the competition as they fell one step short of equalling the furthest Albion have ever been back in 2006.

Albion (4-2-3-1): Rees; Packham, Lopata (Weaire 90), Roberts, Tanimowo; Jenks (Tolaj 69), Spong; Longman, Vukoje (Leonard 46), Gwargis; Cashman.

Subs not used: Bentley, Tutt.