Everton's Under 21 side were 1-0 up against Bolton Wanderers, with the friendly match unable to reach a conclusion after the Bramley Moore Dock stadium was evacuated

A soon-to-be Premier League ground has been evacuated 65 minutes into a game. Everton's Under 21 side were hosting Bolton Wanderers in the latest test event at the club's new Bramley Moore Dock stadium in Liverpool.

Around 25k fans piled in to the ground to see Everton take the lead thanks to a Kingsford Boayke header in the second half – but the match was abruptly ended on the 65th minute with the crowds told to leave immediately.

The stadium was evacuated as thousands were seen streaming out of the new ground . . . but everyone who attended had expected it as it was announced pre-game that a training evacuation would take place.

Supporters had been warned ahead of the game that there will be planned evacuation drill before the full-time whistle, the Liverpool Echo confirmed. It took place so the club is able to obtain a safety licence for the 52,888-capacity waterfront venue.

Fans who headed to the event had also been advised that there will be a greater variety of travel choices, with Merseyrail increasing the number of services through Sandhills – although they did announce mid-match that trains to Southport were cancelled.

The Liverpool Echo's David Humphrey's posted a video on social media explaining what was going on, and said: “The evacuation from Everton Stadium has begun with fans being taken out of the ground. Station staff at Sandhills are encouraging people to have their tickets ready and guiding fans in. Some hoping for Southport line are still looking for alternative methods.

“Have been chatting to Merseyrail teams who told me they have around 70 staff on the ground today and they’re 'tthrowing everything at it' today.

“The process at Sandhills works like the one at Aintree and fans are being taken up to the platform as an when their train arrives.”

The evacuation seemed to go smoothly, with the ground seemingly emptying out in an orderly fashion and in a quick manner – much like a half time of most of Everton's games this season, then.

A spokesman for the stadium said: “Thank you to all supporters for your cooperation during the Operation Everton Stadium controlled evacuation as part of our second test event today.”

The ground is set to open officially at the start of next season, with Everton seemingly set to stay in the Premier League having hit a purple patch of form under returning manager David Moyes in recent weeks.