Daniel Pacheco hit a stunning stoppage-time free-kick to fire Liverpool Reserves to a 1-0 win against Burnley on Wednesday night.
The Reds controlled the majority of a hard-fought encounter at Prenton Park and deservedly took the points courtesy of the Spaniard's 90th minute wonder goal.
It means John McMahon's men have extended their winning streak to four matches and have moved level with leaders Manchester United on 12 points, after the Red Devils prevailed against Everton 24 hours earlier.
With first-team action suspended until after the international break, Burnley boss Owen Coyle took the opportunity to dust off his boots and take a surprise place in the Clarets' starting XI.
The 43-year-old was a prolific scorer during his playing days and promised to be a testing opponent for the Reds' centre back pairing of Daniel Ayala and Stephen Darby.
His presence had been the highlight of the pre-match team news, but in the opening stages it was the hosts who looked the more dangerous with Nathan Eccleston rasping a goalbound shot against Christopher Anderson before Ayala's stabbed effort was hacked clear from the resulting corner.
Alex-Ray Harvey then crashed a 20-yarder over as the visitors threatened briefly.
At the other end, McMahon's side continued to probe and Vincent Weijl's thunderbolt was bravely blocked by Benjamin Hoskin following good work from David Amoo down the right flank.
The Clarets were offering little in the attacking third and they were carved apart again on 25 minutes when Pacheco's invention sent Eccleston clear, but the Manchester-born forward saw his right foot shot well saved by Jonathan Lund.
It seemed that the Burnley stopper was enjoying one of his better nights, and he did well to foil Eccleston with a smart parry from the striker's ferocious drive before producing the best save of the half to keep out a blistering volley from Weijl.
In terms of chances there was only one side in it during the first 45 but at the interval the deadlock remained unbroken.
The pattern of play continued after the break with the Reds on top, but they repeatedly misfired when presented with a sight of goal.
First Weijl crashed over from a tight angle before Amoo contrived to power a free header inches wide after he was left unmarked at a left-wing corner.
Martin Hansen had been a virtual spectator in the Liverpool goal but he was eventually forced to make a meaningful save on 65 minutes when he got down well to palm a low effort from Harvey just past the post.
On 70 minutes Coyle's night came to an end when he was replaced by Michael King. It was a largely forgettable run-out for the former Bolton forward who failed to fire a single shot in anger.
With five minutes to go the away side were reduced to 10-men when Nikolaus Kudiersky received a second yellow card and the Reds finally made them pay deep into stoppage time, when Pacheco curled home from 20 yards.
The Reds controlled the majority of a hard-fought encounter at Prenton Park and deservedly took the points courtesy of the Spaniard's 90th minute wonder goal.
It means John McMahon's men have extended their winning streak to four matches and have moved level with leaders Manchester United on 12 points, after the Red Devils prevailed against Everton 24 hours earlier.
With first-team action suspended until after the international break, Burnley boss Owen Coyle took the opportunity to dust off his boots and take a surprise place in the Clarets' starting XI.
The 43-year-old was a prolific scorer during his playing days and promised to be a testing opponent for the Reds' centre back pairing of Daniel Ayala and Stephen Darby.
His presence had been the highlight of the pre-match team news, but in the opening stages it was the hosts who looked the more dangerous with Nathan Eccleston rasping a goalbound shot against Christopher Anderson before Ayala's stabbed effort was hacked clear from the resulting corner.
Alex-Ray Harvey then crashed a 20-yarder over as the visitors threatened briefly.
At the other end, McMahon's side continued to probe and Vincent Weijl's thunderbolt was bravely blocked by Benjamin Hoskin following good work from David Amoo down the right flank.
The Clarets were offering little in the attacking third and they were carved apart again on 25 minutes when Pacheco's invention sent Eccleston clear, but the Manchester-born forward saw his right foot shot well saved by Jonathan Lund.
It seemed that the Burnley stopper was enjoying one of his better nights, and he did well to foil Eccleston with a smart parry from the striker's ferocious drive before producing the best save of the half to keep out a blistering volley from Weijl.
In terms of chances there was only one side in it during the first 45 but at the interval the deadlock remained unbroken.
The pattern of play continued after the break with the Reds on top, but they repeatedly misfired when presented with a sight of goal.
First Weijl crashed over from a tight angle before Amoo contrived to power a free header inches wide after he was left unmarked at a left-wing corner.
Martin Hansen had been a virtual spectator in the Liverpool goal but he was eventually forced to make a meaningful save on 65 minutes when he got down well to palm a low effort from Harvey just past the post.
On 70 minutes Coyle's night came to an end when he was replaced by Michael King. It was a largely forgettable run-out for the former Bolton forward who failed to fire a single shot in anger.
With five minutes to go the away side were reduced to 10-men when Nikolaus Kudiersky received a second yellow card and the Reds finally made them pay deep into stoppage time, when Pacheco curled home from 20 yards.
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