HALLUM HOPE’S goal helped to put down a marker for Everton under-18s’ FA Youth Cup quarter-final as they beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 at Finch Farm on Saturday.

Neil Dewsnip’s side stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches and they have not conceded a goal in that time.

Saturday’s win came hot on the heels of Thursday’s fine 3-0 FA Youth fifth round success at Preston North End. That set up a last-eight clash with current FA Premier Academy League Group leaders Blackburn at Ewood Park, although as yet no date has been set.

But Everton will be hoping Saturday’s excellent win has given them a psychological advantage going into the tie.

Everton took the lead on the hour. Substitute Hope applied the finishing touch to Tom Donegan’s cross.

Conor McAleny thought he had sealed the points with a second goal late on. But his shot spun along the goal-line and out with the referee’s assistant ruling that it hadn’t crossed it.

Dewsnip said: “We were not at our best overall. We changed the team around a little from the Thursday night and it took us a little while to get into our stride and it wasn’t a great game all round. There were few chances in the first half.

“In the second half we did a lot better and scored a good goal through Hallum Hope.

“It was one of those games you are happy to have won and you can move on.”