Everton and Liverpool were forced to share the spoils as the Merseyside derby finished 1-1 at Goodison Park. 

An entertaining clash played in front of 22,161 fans saw Katie Stengel cancel out Gabby George's goal to earn a draw for the visitors. 

But both sides will feel they could have walked away with maximum points after having a goal apiece disallowed in the second half. 

The result leaves Everton sixth in the Women's Super League and Liverpool eighth. 

Disappointed Reds boss Matt Beard said: "We should have won the game. I've just seen the disallowed goal and can't believe it, it's crazy.

"We committed our wing-backs higher, we wanted them to be more aggressive. It unsettled them, it really worked for us in the second half.

"I thought we created numerous chances, we just lacked composure in the final third. 

"We frustrated Everton but they put their bodies on the line. Courtney Brosnan was their best player by a country mile."

Liverpool goalscorer Stengel, 31, added: "We're frustrated, we were in the game for 90 minutes. 

"Three points would have been huge given they beat us 3-0 at Anfield."

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when George found space down the left and lofted the ball over keeper Rachael Laws.

Roared on by the Goodison faithful, they nearly had a second moments later when Megan Finnigan's low strike was blocked.

A threatening spell from the Reds saw Emma Koivisto's shot whistle past a post as the visitors looked for an equaliser.

And Stengel delivered it in the 40th minute with a great turn and cool finish into the bottom corner to bag her seventh WSL goal of the season. 

Liverpool thought they had claimed the lead just after the break but Leighanne Robe's goal was disallowed for a foul.

Reflecting on the decision, Stengel joked: "I just think they were jealous of Robey's hair!"

The incident fired up the Reds and Shanice van de Sanden broke down the right to square the ball to Stengel, only for the Everton backline to block the shot and deny the forward her second of the night.  

At the other end, Jess Park's sweet strike from distance into the top corner was disallowed for a handball in the build-up. 

As the clock ticked down, Toffees keeper Brosnan made two great saves.

First she clawed away Stengel's effort from close range and then tipped Ceri Holland's shot wide to ensure the match ended all square.