Everton Under-18s have reached the last eight of the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2002 after a 3-0 victory over Preston North End.

The young Blues progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition through goals from Shkodran Mustafi, Shane Duffy and Ross Barkley in an impressive display at Deepdale - which saw them increase their clean-sheet record once again.

Manager Neil Dewsnip fielded an experienced side for the tie, which included six players all with first-team experience. But Everton had to work extremely hard to break down a highly-determined Lancashire side.

The Blues' first effort on goal came via a set-piece after just three minutes of play as Nathan Craig struck a fierce shot, but the Lilywhites 'keeper Dominic Comrie punched the ball to safety.

18-year-old Craig was involved again moments later when he delivered a beautiful cross from the left, but no man in a blue shirt was there to meet it.

The visitors' early display was bright and midfielder Adam Forshaw drilled impressively towards goal after 15 minutes, only narrowly going over the crossbar.

Yet a couple of nervy moments ensued for the Blues and Northern Ireland international Shane Duffy was called on to perform a diving header and clear from inside the penalty box.

Evidently encouraged by their side's improving display, the Preston fans roared in applause for their youngsters and Neil Dougan struck the back of the net, only for it to be ruled offside.

Although lucky with the linesman's decision, seconds later the Blues' rearguard was troubled again as the impressive Dougan headed goalwards but the ball narrowly skimmed the woodwork. The Toffees worked hard to regain composure in defence, with Duffy again denying the opposition.

An excellent through-ball from right-back Aristote Nsiala gave Blues captain Jose Baxter room to turn and strike with brute force, but launched his effort over the bar.

Everton were gifted another free-kick on the half-hour mark; Forshaw stepped up and his expert delivery found the head of Duffy to flick his effort at goal. But fighting its way through the congested goal mouth, a deflection off Everton centre-half Shkodran Mustafi sent the keeper the wrong way and put the Blues in front.

A foul on Baxter eight minutes before the break led to another free-kick, this time from the right. Craig looked to take it but a sneaky last-second switch fooled the Preston defence and allowed Baxter to strike this time forcing keeper Comrie to tip over to safety.

The first realistic chance of the second period fell to Preston as Jamie Proctor's accurate through-pass found Ryan McGreevy, but the youngster buckled under pressure from goalscorer Mustafi and shot wide.

Preston nearly grabbed the equaliser minutes later as Blues 'keeper Adam Davies left his line to meet Proctor who found time to execute a header. Dougan then troubled the Blues' goal again almost immediately, but his effort travelled wide. The Lancashire outfit were beginning to find inspiration from the 1500-strong crowd's home support.

However at the other end, the experienced James Wallace excellently found the run of Hallam Hope, but the latter was pulled down by the Preston defence before he could find time to shoot.

The referee wasted no time in pointing to the penalty spot.

Duffy was the man to step up - as he had in the last round against Brighton - striking straight down the middle of the goal to put the visitors two-up with just over 20 minutes to go. 

Any hopes of a comeback were well and truly extinguished just six minutes later, as Craig's corner hit the back of Wallace and fell kindly in the box to midfielder  Barkley who smashed with venom into the top-left corner of the net. 

Sam Hart's free-kick rattled the crossbar for Preston with seven minutes remaining, before Everton captain Baxter handed the armband to Wallace as he left the field for Femi Orenuga. The former Southend United winger brought some fresh legs to the field, but found himself booked for unsporting behaviour with a only minute left on the clock.

The Everton camp anxiously waited for the final whistle to go, and as it did their attention will no doubt turn instantly to their quarter-final opponents Blackburn Rovers, who they also meet in the league this weekend.