Liverpool Reserves threw away a two-goal advantage as they slumped to a third successive defeat in a pulsating mini-derby at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Gary Ablett's side had looked on course to get their Barclays Premier Reserve League North campaign back on track after storming into a 2-0 lead courtesy of second-half goals from Jordy Brouwer and Gerardo Bruna.
But any hopes they had of bringing their two-match losing run to a close were duly ended in a dramatic final quarter of the contest as the Toffees hit back to snatch a 3-2 victory.
The Reds had gone into the match determined to mark their first home game of the season with a win and after a scrappy opening they carved out the first opportunity of note when Dani Pacheco fired wide at the near post following good work down the left by Emiliano Insua.
It was the start of a passage of play in which the hosts took control and James McCarten was lucky not to put through his own net after a devilish cross from the right from Francisco Duran.
Mini-derbies are notorious for being full-blooded encounters and it was perhaps no surprise that three players were booked in the opening 18 minutes as both sides fought with the passion and desire you would expect of such an occasion.
The visitors were boasting an experienced line-up but it wasn't until the 20th minute that they troubled the Reds rearguard and even then Jose Baxter sliced well wide of Dean Bouzanis' goal.
The same player was again presented with an opportunity just three minutes later but he drilled a wayward volley over the top after a cross from the left found him free at the far post.
All of a sudden it was the visitors posing all the questions and the Reds were lucky not to concede a spot-kick just shy of the half hour mark when San Jose appeared to bring James Vaughan crashing to the ground in the area.
Half-time came and went with the game still goalless, although only Jordy Brouwer will know how he failed to turn Duran's cut back into the net just seconds after the restart.
However, the Dutchman made amends on 56 minutes when he gave the home side a deserved lead, bundling home the rebound after Spearing's low effort was spilled by Carlo Nash.
The goal gave the Reds the confidence boost they were in need of and they should have doubled their advantage on 72 minutes but Gerardo Bruna was unlucky to see his shot crash back off the post following good work from Brouwer.
It was a frustrating moment for the forward, but he didn't have long to wait before he was celebrating the Reds' second just minutes later when his free-kick from the right deceived everyone and flew straight in at the near post.
It seemed like job done for Ablett and his men, but their two goal advantage lasted all of three minutes as James Vaughan dived full length to reduce the arrears after Victor Anichebe's drilled cross found him at the far post.
The visitors sensed an anxiety in the Reds' ranks and all Liverpool's good work was undone on 80 minutes when Lee Molyneux crashed in a magnificent 25-yard free-kick.
Both sides piled forward in search of the winner but despite the home side's best efforts they could not make the most of their opportunities and Vaughan was on hand to punish them with his second of the game, seven minutes from time to cap a remarkable comeback for the Blues.
Gary Ablett's side had looked on course to get their Barclays Premier Reserve League North campaign back on track after storming into a 2-0 lead courtesy of second-half goals from Jordy Brouwer and Gerardo Bruna.
But any hopes they had of bringing their two-match losing run to a close were duly ended in a dramatic final quarter of the contest as the Toffees hit back to snatch a 3-2 victory.
The Reds had gone into the match determined to mark their first home game of the season with a win and after a scrappy opening they carved out the first opportunity of note when Dani Pacheco fired wide at the near post following good work down the left by Emiliano Insua.
It was the start of a passage of play in which the hosts took control and James McCarten was lucky not to put through his own net after a devilish cross from the right from Francisco Duran.
Mini-derbies are notorious for being full-blooded encounters and it was perhaps no surprise that three players were booked in the opening 18 minutes as both sides fought with the passion and desire you would expect of such an occasion.
The visitors were boasting an experienced line-up but it wasn't until the 20th minute that they troubled the Reds rearguard and even then Jose Baxter sliced well wide of Dean Bouzanis' goal.
The same player was again presented with an opportunity just three minutes later but he drilled a wayward volley over the top after a cross from the left found him free at the far post.
All of a sudden it was the visitors posing all the questions and the Reds were lucky not to concede a spot-kick just shy of the half hour mark when San Jose appeared to bring James Vaughan crashing to the ground in the area.
Half-time came and went with the game still goalless, although only Jordy Brouwer will know how he failed to turn Duran's cut back into the net just seconds after the restart.
However, the Dutchman made amends on 56 minutes when he gave the home side a deserved lead, bundling home the rebound after Spearing's low effort was spilled by Carlo Nash.
The goal gave the Reds the confidence boost they were in need of and they should have doubled their advantage on 72 minutes but Gerardo Bruna was unlucky to see his shot crash back off the post following good work from Brouwer.
It was a frustrating moment for the forward, but he didn't have long to wait before he was celebrating the Reds' second just minutes later when his free-kick from the right deceived everyone and flew straight in at the near post.
It seemed like job done for Ablett and his men, but their two goal advantage lasted all of three minutes as James Vaughan dived full length to reduce the arrears after Victor Anichebe's drilled cross found him at the far post.
The visitors sensed an anxiety in the Reds' ranks and all Liverpool's good work was undone on 80 minutes when Lee Molyneux crashed in a magnificent 25-yard free-kick.
Both sides piled forward in search of the winner but despite the home side's best efforts they could not make the most of their opportunities and Vaughan was on hand to punish them with his second of the game, seven minutes from time to cap a remarkable comeback for the Blues.
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