David Moyes was left distraught as his battling Everton side exited the UEFA Cup following a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

The Scottish boss had seen his side work their way back into the tie and peg back a two-goal deficit at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

However it is Fiorentina who will go forward to the quarter-finals - despite being outplayed on the night.

Everton dominated the game from the start and the big surprise was that they breached the Fiorentina goal only once in the first half.

They signalled their intentions as early as the second minute when Andrew Johnson headed the ball back to Leon Osman after two minutes.

The midfielder cracked in a shot from the edge of the area that was deflected to safety in front of a packed crowd.

Everton made the breakthrough in the 16th minute when Steven Pienaar delivered a cross from the left, goalkeeper Sebastien Frey seemed to be distracted by the presence of Yakubu and the ball broke to Johnson, who bundled in from close range.

With only a goal now separating the sides Everton stepped up the pressure and Mikel Arteta smacked a shot wide following a cross from Joleon Lescott.

Then Frey did well to parry a free-kick from as the Italian side again found themselves on the back foot.

Everton maintained the momentum but Johnson made an unsuccessful penalty claim following a challenge from Manuel Pasqual.

The ball broke to Osman, who cracked in a fierce shot, only to see Frey make a good parry.

Phil Jagielka sent a header over the bar in the 29th minute following a free-kick from Arteta, before Martin Jorgensen tested goalkeeper Tim Howard with a fine volley at the other end in the 32nd minute.

Two minutes later Everton almost drew level on aggregate when Yakubu weaved his way into the area but Frey parried his shot and it was eventually cleared.

Johnson then peeled away from his marker to get on the end of Arteta's corner, only to head over the top.

Yakubu found the net in first half stoppage-time - only for his effort to be ruled out for offside after Frey made a superb save from Johnson.

Everton came within inches of drawing level in the 47th minute when Lescott headed on a corner from the influential Arteta - but Pasqual cleared off the line.

The Premier League side carved out another good chance in the 63rd minute when Johnson released Yakubu in the penalty area - but the Nigerian was crowded out and the chance was lost.

Fittingly it was Arteta who pulled the teams level on aggregate in the 66th minute with a stunning strike from 25 yards.

Frey, who had kept out a string of shots, was powerless to prevent the ball zipping into the net and it was game on.

Frey then saved a shot from defender Joseph Yobo with his knees to prevent Everton taking the lead.

Everton were almost hit by a sucker punch in the 76th minute when substitute Giampaolo Pazzini flicked in a header but Howard reacted superbly to push his effort over the bar.

It was Fiorentina, though, who almost went ahead in extra-time but Pazzini saw his effort go narrowly wide of the post.

Everton hit back and carved out a good chance in the 103rd minute when Johnson released Yakubu.

He got a decent touch and took the ball on, only to blast a shot wide of the target.

Johnson then tried to pick out Yakubu in the 109th minute when he could have tried his luck on goal and his pass was blocked.

Moyes' men kept pushing forward and substitute Victor Anichebe twice got into good positions but could not take advantage.

And there was only heartache for Everton as they went down 4-2 in shoot-out with Yakubu and Jagielka failing to convert their efforts, while their Italian opponents were clinical from the penalty spot.

Teams

Everton Howard, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Pienaar (Anichebe 106), Arteta, Carsley, Osman,Johnson (Gravesen 119), Yakubu.

Subs Not Used: Wessels, Hibbert, Baines, Nuno Valente, Rodwell.

Booked: Yobo, Yakubu.

Goals: Johnson 16, Arteta 67.

Fiorentina Frey, Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Gamberini, Pasqual, Kuzmanovic (Gobbi 91), Donadel, Montolivo, Jorgensen (Santana 106), Osvaldo, Vieri (Pazzini 45).

Subs Not Used: Avramov, Kroldrup, Potenza, Cacia.

Booked: Dainelli, Montolivo, Pazzini, Gamberini, Jorgensen.

Agg (2-2) Fiorentina win 4-2 on penalties

Att: 38,026

Ref: Eric Braamhaar (Holland).