GOALS from Shkodran Mustafi, Shane Duffy and Ross Barkley put Everton through to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth for the first time in nine years as they beat Preston North End 2-0 at Deepdale last night.

Neil Dewsnip’s youngsters won away for the third round in a row in the Youth Cup and stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions.

They will again be on the road with a last-eight clash at Ewood Park with Blackburn Rovers, whom they face tomorrow in the FA Premier Academy League at Finch Farm.

Everton impressed from the start  at Deepdale. Nathan Craig saw Lilywhites' keeper Dominic Comrie punched his free-kick away after three minutes.

Preston, though, hit back and Everton were glad that Neil Dougan’s effort was ruled out for offside, while the Preston forward also headed against the woodwork soon after.

Everton skipper Jose Baxter fired over. But the visitors finally took the lead on the half-hour mark, when Adam Forshaw’s free-kick was headed towards goal by Duffy and German centre-back Shkodran Mustafi fired home.

On 37 minutes Baxter had a free-kick tipped over by Comrie, while at the other end Everton keeper Adam Davies saved from Proctor.

In the second half Everton pressed to seal the tie and with 20 minutes left they grabbed a second from the penalty spot. Hallum Hope got in on the end of a James Wallace through-ball, but was brought down. From the resultant spot-kick Duffy fired home straight down the middle of the goal.

Six minutes  later Craig's corner deflected off Wallace and fell perfectly for midfielder Barkley to slam home Everton’s third into the top corner.

Sam Hart hit Everton’s bar with a free-kick with seven minutes left, but they held on for comfortable victory.

Hopes of a first Youth Cup final appearance since 2001 grow, but Academy League Group C leaders Blackburn now stand in the way of a semi-final spot.

EVERTON YOUTH: Davies, Nsiala, Bidwell, Mustafi, Duffy, Barkley, Forshaw, Wallace, Hope, Baxter (Orenuga 83), Craig.