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 resurgence from the Toffees saw them snatch the win with two minutes remaining through Arnaut Danjuma after Beto had levelled the tie.
The performance from Rovers on the night was magnificent, with incredible energy shown from the first whistle to push the top flight outfit all the way.
And it was only after multiple changes that the visitors to a packed Eco-Power Stadium were able to wrestle their way in front on the night.
Grant McCann made two changes from the side that started the previous weekend at MK Dons with Luke Molyneux and Zain Westbrooke coming into the XI.
Rovers almost pounced inside the first minute when Joe Ironside capitalised on a heavy touch from Everton keeper Jordan Pickford but could not pick out a team mate.
From the subsequent corner, Joseph Olowu raced into space to meet a ball in from Molyneux but could not turn his header on target.
The intensity of the play from Rovers both on and off the ball was excellent, ensuring that the star-studded visitors endured an uncomfortable time throughout the first half.
George Broadbent produced a brilliant tackle on the edge of the box to deny Adboulaye Doucoure a shot on goal.
Tommy Rowe raced into space to fire first time from a corner but could not keep his effort down, while Jack Senior saw a square ball deflect straight at Pickford.
Rovers continued to have the better of the chances and after Broadbent saw a shot blocked by Amadou Onana, Westbrooke lashed a low effort narrowly wide from 30 yards.
Everton’s first real attempt of the game came four minutes from the break when Arnaut Danjuma lashed a shot wide after being put clear in behind.
Rovers took the lead on 44 minutes. Rowe clipped a brilliant ball into the box which Ironside met with a header beyond Pickford.
Ian Lawlor ensured Rovers went into break with a lead as he made an excellent save from Onana’s powerful low drive.
And it could easily have been two for Rovers just before the break as Rowe drew a fine save from Pickford from ten yards.
Broadbent tested Pickford early in the second half with a low strike from the edge of the box.
Mo Faal and Molyneux both saw shots blocked as Rovers continued to pile on the pressure.
Joseph Olowu got in the way of a cross from Vitaliy Mykolenko and almost sent the ball looping over Lawlor.
Beto – who joined the Toffees the day prior and was introduced off the bench at the break – fired well wide with his first opportunity.
But he made no mistake with his second on 73 minutes as he latched onto a ball over the top and touched an effort beyond Lawlor to equalise.
Everton were buoyed by the leveller and it took a fine save from Lawlor to bat away a shot from substitute Ashley Young.
Beto thumped 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 for his debut for the club.
The cruel blow came in the 89th minute as Everton took the lead. Arnaut Danjuma raced across the face of the box and slammed 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. Subs not used: Jones, Wood, Long, Faulkner, Kuleya.
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