Everton kick-start their pre-season with a 1-1 draw to John Doolan's Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium. Beto levelled from the spot after Benn Ward broke the deadlock just after the second half.
The home side started off brightly, troublingthe Blueswith crosses, but never really troubling Harry Tyrer. As David Moyes's side settled and grew in the game, they forced Ollie Wright into numerous saves to deny Everton.
Stanley started the second half in a quick manner, scoring from a corner as Ward was left unmarked at the back-post to give Doolan's side the lead.
The Toffees didn't have a response and struggled to carve out any quality chances.
Everton will return to Lancashire this weekend as they look to up their pre-season workload as they face Championship opposition Blackburn Rovers before flying out to America for the Premier League Summer Series
Story of the match
The host started off better with an early effort being blocked by Michael Keane and a looping header from Josh Woods, which was parried over by Tyrer.
It was a sluggish start from the Blues, but they soon grew into life with Nathan Patterson dragging his effort wide after a positive driving run from the 22-year-old.
Moments later,Youssef Chermiti should open the scoring after a nice one-two betweenHarrison Armstrong and Vitalli Mykolenko to get the Ukrainian in behindthe Reds' defence. The 26-year-old early cross was brought down well by Chermiti, but Ollie Wright comfortably saved his tame effort.
Wright could have had an assist when his long ball was met by Woods, who lobbed Tyrer, but his attempt hit the roof of the net.
John Doolan's side were posing a threat from balls into the box, this time Charlie Caton got in behind from Keane and the header was glanced over, from another dangerous cross from Shaun Whalley.
Chermiti was in on the action once again as Tim Iroegbunam whipped in a cross which was met by the Portuguese, whose diving header was tipped over by Wright.
Up the other end, former Blue Conor Grant fired from range, which was straight at Tyrer.
Carlos Alcaraz and Armstrong linked up, and the 18-year-old had a curling effort which was once again well saved by Wright.
The bright spark for David Moyes's side was Armstrong, who got in behind Stanley's defence. The youngster fizzed in a low cross, which was sizzled out for a corner.
Both sides made numerous changes for the second half.
The opening goal came five minutes into the second half for Accrington by Benn Ward. The 21-year-old was left unmarked from a corner and his header snuck under Tyrer.
Doolan's men almost doubled their lead immediately with Wood's effort blocked once more by Keane.
The first moment of Everton looked like getting level was when Dwight McNeil slided in Alcaraz but was gathered by Michael Kelly, who replaced Ollie Wright.
The Toffees struggled to get going in the second half but had two chances in quick succession.
Substitute Justin Clarke ran at the Stanley defence before laying it off to McNeil, who hit it from range but was easily pushed away by Michael Kelly. Beto got in behind and his effort from the left-hand side was gathered by Kelly.
The home side almost doubled their lead and once again looked dangerous from corners.
Everton initially dealt with the set-piece before the ball fell for substitute Anjola Popoola, but his effort was blocked by Beto, which looked destined for the goal.
Everton got their leveller from the penalty spot after Isaac Heath won the Blues the spot-kick after a positive run. Beto emphatically placed it in the top-right corner to get David Moyes's side level.
Nathan Patterson almost won it for Everton. It was a great move from the Blues who worked it well, and it fell for the Scotsman who skipped it past his man, but blazing over.
In the closing stages, it was Everton in the ascendancy with a powerful run from Tim Iroegbunam, who fired over from range.