Canvey Island got their Emirates FA Cup campaign underway with a 2-1 comeback win against Waltham Abbey at Park Lane on Saturday.

Tobi Tinubu and Evangelos Empochontsif came into the starting XI in place of the injured Conor Hubble and Rob Girdlestone. Former-Canvey keeper Ashlee Jones also missed on through injury for the visitors, with veteran shot stopper Richard Haywood coming in in his place.

Canvey came out of the traps quickly and created two excellent chances inside the opening five minutes, both as a result of right wing crosses from Evans Kouassi.

First, Tobi Tinubu was inches away from applying a finish after throwing himself at the ball inside the six yard box, and a minute later Harrison Chatting saw a back post header saved and turned behind for a corner.

Kouassi was proving to be a constant threat and created another great opportunity on 23 minutes when he played a low ball across the face of goal. Tobi Tinubu slid in at the back post but could only scoop the ball over the crossbar from close range.

Canvey were punished for spurning three excellent chances when Waltham Abbey took the lead on 29 minutes. Ace’a Laurent picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and curled a stunning effort into the top corner, beating Bobby Mason diving high to his left.

Trailing at the break, the Gulls started the second half with a bit more urgency and enthusiasm to their play.

On 55 minutes a cross from the left by Evans Kouassi was headed down inside the box by a defender but not cleared. Jamie Salmon ran onto the loose ball but sent his shot from just inside the area a couple of yards over the crossbar.

Canvey levelled the scores on 62 minutes when a corner found Matt Price at the back post. The striker’s header back across goal was headed off the line by a defender, but the loose ball fell straight to Evans Kouassi who drilled it home from 12 yards.

The home side continued to push after the goal, working the keeper on several occasions but without seriously testing him.

They came close on 79 minutes with Evans Koaussi involved once again. Having used his footwork to get by the right back, Kouassi played a low ball into the box which was flicked on by Harrison Chatting. The ball found its way to Matt Price, but after shifting it onto his right foot, the striker uncharacteristically sliced his shot over the bar when well placed.

Waltham Abbey were still in the contest and look dangerous on the counter attack. On 83 minutes, substitute Ibatayo Oyebola pulled the trigger from the right, with his shot whistling past the bottom corner.

With the match looking as though it was heading for a replay, Canvey won the match with two minutes of normal time remaining. Tobi Tinubu took a shot from the right which goalkeeper Richard Haywood saved diving to his left but couldn’t hold. Matt Price was onside and nipped in to tuck home the rebound to send the Gulls into the next round.