Everton shrugged off the loss of ten first team players to record a superb victory in the Europa League in Belarus thanks to Tim Cahill’s goal 13 minutes from time. In the process, David Moyes’ side have taken a massive step towards securing a place in the next stage after their second successive win in the group.

Cahill capped a superb comeback after Marouane Fellaini had hauled the Toffees level in the 68th minute with his first goal of the season.

It was no more than Everton deserved after Joseph Yobo became the latest casualty because of a thigh injury.

In his absence Tony Hibbert was drafted in alongside Sylvain Distin in central defence - and hardly put a foot wrong.

Hibbert had to look alert in the 12th minute when Maksim Skavysh skipped away and got in a crucial challenge.

Everton almost took the lead a minute later with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov left cursing his luck. The Russian winger saw his powerful 20-yard shot come back off the post after Ayegbeni Yakubu had carved out the opening.

BATE responded and made the breakthrough with Dmitri Likhtarovich scoring a goal out of the blue, latching onto a loose ball 30 yards out and thumping a shot high over goalkeeper Tim Howard.

That got the home crowd going and gave BATE an early boost - they lost their opening game to Benfica.

Everton almost drew level in the 26th minute when Yakubu released Cahill inside the six-yard box - but the Australian midfielder failed to get a decent connection and his effort was deflected wide. The Australian was left shaking his head in frustration after failing to take a clear chance.

Everton again pushed forward in the 37th minute and Fellaini laid the ball back to Leon Osman, skipper on the night, but his effort was blocked.

BATE, who drew twice with Juventus in the Champions League last season, then found themselves on the back foot though three minutes later.

It needed a timely clearance from Igor Shitov to prevent Yakubu from racing clear on goal, then Osman got clear inside the area after 54 minutes but his shot was scrambled to safety.

Three minutes later Jo peeled away from his marker and got on the end of a cross from Yakubu. However his soft header was easily taken by the goalkeeper.

BATE were not content to sit on their lead, however, and kept pushing forward at every opportunity.

Aleksandr Pavlov steadied himself outside the area in the 61st minute but sent his shot wide of the target, before Yakubu was hauled back for moving into an offside position three minutes later following a pass from Gosling.

The Nigerian questioned the decision and it look as though he had a point.

Everton drew level in the 68th minute when BATE failed to deal with a Leighton Baines free-kick. Fellaini got on the end of it at the far post and found the corner of the net.

Everton went ahead in the 77th minute after a swift counter-attack that stunned the hosts. Bilyaletdinov headed the ball on and Cahill sprung the offside trap before hoisting a shot over the goalkeeper.

It was a remarkable turnaround by Everton and testimony to their fighting spirit after such an indifferent first half.

Everton manager David Moyes praised his side after they chalked up their second successive victory in the Europa League.

Moyes lost Joseph Yobo to a thigh injury on the eve of the game and Tony Hibbert switched from right-back to centre defence. Moyes said: “I thought Tony played really well, it was an outstanding performance by him and he slotted in as I hoped he would.

“It was a really pleasing result considering the number of players who were not available. It was a resilient performance, which in the end allowed us to get the victory. I thought we played better in the first half but we were wasteful with our passing.

“BATE scored an excellent goal but we regrouped and managed to get the goals we needed. Tim Cahill is always a threat in those kind of situations but he has probably not scored as many goals as he should have done recently.”

With Benfica losing to AEK Athens, Everton are now top of the group with maximum points.

Moyes said: “It’s always nice to win away in Europe and this was an important victory. We were hoping to take points early in the campaign and we are now in a good position. We want to stay there and keep progressing in this competition.”

Yobo remains doubtful for the Barclays Premier League match against Stoke on Sunday and Moyes added: “Jo has got a thigh strain - it’s not too bad, we don’t think it’s too serious.”

BATE coach Viktor Goncharenko was disappointed at the way his side lost the match. He said: “I am very upset we conceded two goals as we controlled the game. We made mistakes in the second half and while there are still four games to play, we could now struggle to qualify.”

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