Everton Under-21s were denied at the death as Manchester City struck late to snatch a 2-1 win at Southport.
David Henen had opened the scoring shortly before the break but this was cancelled out immediately by Jorge Intima.
And the Young Blues’ first domestic action in over a month ended in disappointment following George Glendon’s winner for the visitors just three minutes from the end.
The result leaves Everton occupying 11th place in the table, though David Unsworth’s side have games in hand over most teams in the league.
It was a frustrating outcome, especially as there was very little to separate the teams throughout a keenly-contested 90 minutes at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.
It took the best part of a quarter of an hour for Everton to fashion their first opportunity of note as they tried to come to terms with the blustery and wet weather – a far cry from the conditions most players in the team had experienced in America at the Dallas Cup.
A slick passing move ended when right-back Callum Connolly shot narrowly wide of the target from a tight angle and this was soon followed up with a drive from distance by Ryan Ledson which sailed over the bar.
Off-target efforts were a trend throughout the first half as Brandon Barker, twice, and Olivier Ntcham failed to work Blues keeper Russell Griffiths for the visitors.
After a scrappy first 40 minutes, the contest then came to life with two goals in quick succession leading up to half-time.
Henen, who had gone close moments earlier, broke the deadlock when he seized on a loose pass from the away team, broke clear and finished confidently past Manchester City stopper Angus Gunn from just inside the area.
The visitors responded immediately, however, as winger Intima headed in a corner to ensure it was back level pegging at the interval.
The second period followed a similar pattern to the first as both teams struggled to get a grip on play, with the blustery and wet conditions not helping matters.
On the hour mark, Calum Dyson forced Gunn into a low save and there was half a chance when substitute Michael Donohue delivered a low cross which just evaded Henen, who had made a dart to the far post.
Everton looked the side most likely to go on and win it but, with just three minutes remaining, they were cruelly denied.
Manchester City captain Glendon struck what proved to be the winner, flicking the ball into the top corner past Griffiths following a left-winged cross.
It was harsh on Everton who had restricted the visitors to very little throughout the second period.
The Young Blues must now pick themselves up for an International Cup tie against Leicester on Thursday afternoon.
Everton U21s: Griffiths, Connolly (Walsh 89), Robinson, Ledson, Browning, Galloway, Kenny, Davies, Dyson (Charsley 83), Dowell (Donohue 65), Henen (Subs not used: Hunt, Langton).
Man City U21s: Gunn, Maffeo, Plummer, Smith-Brown, Horsfield, Glendon, Intima, Ntcham (Tascene 85), Pozo, Ceuna (O'Brien 76), Barker (Drury 87) (Subs not used: Bryan, Hardy).
