Ryan Crump's last-minute penalty save handed Liverpool U18s a 1-0 win in their mini-Merseyside derby against Everton on Saturday.

The young Reds bossed the first half, with Ryan Kent at the heart of all their positive play, and they made the pressure count on the stroke of half-time when Nathan Burke fired from the spot.

But Everton were much stronger after the interval, and the Blues really should have grabbed an equaliser before the final whistle as they failed to finish a host of chances.

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Crump was the hero of the hour when he emulated Simon Mignolet's debut display against Stoke and guessed right to save a 93rd minute penalty to clinch the win.

Everton's captain, Ryan Ledson, was fortunate to stay on the pitch when he clattered Kent after minutes of play in this fiercely contested clash; however, the referee deemed his rough tackle a yellow card offence.

Kent was hacked to the floor again on 21 minutes and Daniel Trickett-Smith sent a deadly, swerving free-kick close from the edge of the box.

A fine save from the Everton 'keeper Russell Griffiths kept the Reds at bay when Trickett-Smith linked with Cameron Brannagan in the area to free-up space for Harry Wilson, whose vicious effort was bravely palmed away.

Then, on 45 minutes, Mike Garrity's side broke through the Everton ranks - and again it was Kent who carved the opening. He scooped possession from a throw out on the left, spun and surged towards the six-yard box, where he was sandwiched by two Blue shirts and the referee pointed immediately to the spot.

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Burke stepped up to send the 'keeper the wrong way and give the Reds a deserved lead at half-time.

Liverpool flew out of the blocks after the interval and Kent picked up where he left off, sending Griffiths sprawling across his goalline to palm a dangerous effort around the post.

Wilson robbed the ball on the edge of the box and danced past four Everton shirts before teeing up Brannagan, who was kept out only by a brave block from James Graham.

But Everton came back strong - and they went on to dominate the match right up until the final whistle.

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They went close through Harry Charlesly before Joe Williams nodded over the bar from close-range when he tried to turn Gethin Jones' rasping volley into an empty net.

Delial Brewster passed-up a golden chance to level on 74 minutes when he tried to nod a cross from Michael Donohue across the face of Crump's goal, but his header sailed wide.

Then, with seconds left on the clock, Wilson was adjudged to have handled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. However, Crump palmed away Callum Dyson's shot to prompt wild celebrations on the sidelines.