EVERTON Reserves chalked up their third successive 1-1 draw in the FA Premier Reserve League at the Auto Quest on Monday.

The Blues would see it as two points lost in a game they should have comfortably won by half time.

Everton's Matt McKay came closest early on with two chances that went inches wide but on 26 minutes the Blues deservedly broke the deadlock.

American international Joe-Max Moore robbed City's Stephen Paisley just inside the City half and played a neat one-two with Nick Chadwick before rifling the ball in the bottom corner past keeper Carlo Nash.

Everton were good value for their lead and should have gone 2-0 up eight minutes later when a 40-yard pass from Blues full back George Pilkington split the City defence.

Cadamarteri held off the City defence with a great first touch and unselfishly left for Chadwick who missed the target from 12 yards out.

City came out for the second half and immediately created a couple of chances through Terry Cooke and Leon Mike, who both went close.

At the other end Chadwick had a powerful header cleared off the line and scrambled away but Everton seemed to take their foot off the gas and allowed City to seize the initiative.

On 68 minutes the Everton defence failed to clear their lines and allowed Leon Mike to find Joey Barton, who hit a great first time shot past blues keeper Steve Simonsen.

City had further chances through Leon Mike but the Everton defence stood firm.

All in all it was an entertaining game but one which Everton could and should have won at a canter.

Three successive draws for the champions is not the sort of start coach Andy Holden would have wanted, but on the positive side they remain unbeaten.

M.O.M, Peter Clarke, who kept the busy Paul Dickov quiet all night.

Everton: Steve Simonsen; Ryan Valentine; David Unsworth; George Pilkington; Peter Clarke (capt); Thomas Kearney; Danny Cadamarteri; Joe-Max Moore; Nick Chadwick; Matt McKay; Kevin McLeod; David Eaton; Andrew Pettinger; Sean O'Hanlon; Damien Curran.