Rovers were dealt a cruel late blow as they exited the Carabao Cup to Premier League side Everton.

Joe Ironside’s first-half header had given Rovers a deserved lead, but a late Toffees resurgence saw them claim victory two minutes from time through Arnaut Danjuma after Beto had leveled the tie.

Rovers’ performance that evening was magnificent, with incredible energy shown from the first whistle to push the high-flying team all the way.

And only after numerous changes were visitors to a packed Eco-Power Stadium able to make their way in front that evening.

Grant McCann made two changes from the team that started the previous weekend at MK Dons with Luke Molyneux and Zain Westbrooke coming into the XI.

Rovers almost pounced in the first minute when Joe Ironside capitalized on a heavy touch from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford but was unable to pick out a teammate.

From the following corner, Joseph Olowu rushed into space to meet a ball from Molyneux but was unable to turn his header towards the target.

The intensity of Rovers’ play, with and without the ball, was excellent, ensuring the star visitors endured an uncomfortable period throughout the first half.

George Broadbent made a brilliant tackle at the edge of the area to prevent Adboulaye Doucouré from shooting on goal.

Tommy Rowe ran into space to shoot for the first time from a corner, but was unable to keep his effort down, while Jack Senior saw a square ball deflect straight towards Pickford.

Rovers continued to have the better chances and after Broadbent saw a shot blocked by Amadou Onana, Westbrooke fired a low effort narrowly wide from 30 yards.

Everton’s first real attempt of the match came four minutes from the break when Arnaut Danjuma fired a shot wide after being pulled back from behind.

Rovers took the lead in the 44th minute. Rowe sent a brilliant ball into the box which Ironside met with a header beyond Pickford.

Ian Lawlor put Rovers ahead by making an excellent save from Onana’s powerful low drive.

And it could easily have been two for Rovers just before the break as Rowe made a fine save from Pickford from ten yards out.

Broadbent tested Pickford early in the second half with a low strike from the edge of the area.

Mo Faal and Molyneux both saw their shots blocked as Rovers continued to pile on the pressure.

Joseph Olowu got in the way of a Vitaliy Mykolenko cross and almost looped the ball past Lawlor.

Beto – who joined the Toffees the day before and was introduced on the bench at the break – shot well wide from his first chance.

But he made no mistake with his second in the 73rd minute as he latched onto a ball over the top and touched an effort beyond Lawlor to equalize.

Everton were buoyed by the leveler and it took a fine save from Lawlor to keep away a shot from substitute Ashley Young.

Beto hit a header off the upright as Everton continued to pile on the pressure while Young clipped the top of the crossbar moments later.

McCann sent on 16-year-old midfielder Sam Straughan-Brown on his debut for the club.

The cruel blow came in the 89th minute as Everton took the lead. Arnaut Danjuma crossed the surface of the box and smashed into the bottom corner.

Rovers: Lawlor, Bailey, Olowu, Senior, Molyneux, Westbrooke (Sotona 90+3), Broadbent, Rowe (Roberts 70), Maxwell (Goodman 90+3), Faal (Straughan-Brown 83), Ironside. Unused substitutes: Jones, Wood, Long, Faulkner, Kuleya.