LUCAS NEILL played his first full match in Everton colours, but he could not stop the reserves losing 3-0 at home to his former club Blackburn Rovers last night.

A more experienced Rovers’ side were 2-0 up at the break through goals from Steven Reid and David Hoilett, and Aaron Doran completed the win with a penalty in the second half, despite the visitors being reduced to 10 men late on.

Jose Baxter came closest for Everton in the sixth minute but following good work from Kieran Agard and Adam Forshaw, he headed wide from six yards out.

Neill, who will be pushing for a place in Everton’s first team squad for this weekend’s Premier League clash with Stoke, also headed straight at the Blackburn keeper.

But on 35 minutes Blackburn took the lead when Reid played a one-two with Hoilett and the Republic of Ireland international fired home.

Just before half-time it was 2-0 as Hoilett followed up to tap in after Adam Davies had saved initially from Nikola Kalinic.

Baxter saw a low shot comfortably saved by Kean in the second half.

Phil Jones had an effort from close range for the visitors, but Blackburn eventually scored their third and deciding goal.

Everton keeper Davies was adjudged to have brought down Doran inside the area and the Blackburn winger picked himself up and scored from the spot himself.