Match report and photo by David Powell

Canvey Island suffered a last minute defeat on Saturday, a heart-breaking, 93rd minute goal condemning them to a 1-0 defeat to Cray Wanderers at Bromley's Hayes Lane stadium.

In an even contest between the two sides, the Gulls will feel aggrieved not to get anything out of the game after controversially having a Danny Parish goal ruled out for offside midway through the second half.

Wanderers edged an even first half, with both sides having chances to take the lead. Mitch Chapman had an effort for the hosts skim the top of the crossbar after just 6 minutes. He then came close again on 21 minutes, heading over Anthony Cook’s delivery from a corner. Canvey looked to reply though Evans Kouassi, as he gave Canvey their first opportunity of the game, dragging an effort wide of the target after a good run cutting in from the left.

On 34 minutes, Sam Skeffington tested Rhys Byrne with a low drive that the keeper did well to push away from goal before Canvey finished the half strongly. FirstGood link up play by Parish provided a chance for Kouassi, whose shot from the left was pushed away for a corner by home keeper Shaun Rowley. From the resulting corner, Rob Girdlestone’s header was blocked by the defence and Luca Albon blazed the loose ball high over the crossbar.

Kouassi then found another opening just before half time, his pass almost playing in Danny Parish, but for a timely intervention from Alex Bentley to deny the striker a clear shot at goal.

The second half was again a tight affair, with Canvey just edging the contest in terms of possession and clear chances. Some good play by Kouassi on 54 minutes set up Conor Hubble in the centre, but his effort across goal was deflected wide.

Then on 64 minutes, the Gulls controversially had an effort ruled out for offside. Kouassi found space in the penalty area after Parish had set him up from the right, and his shot was blocked by a combination of defender and goalkeeper. The loose ball fell to Parish, who hammered home from close range but, although appearing to be behind the defender and goalkeeper, the linesman ruled out the goal for offside, much to Parish’s and the Canvey faithful's dismay.

On 81 minutes, Gulls were again inches away from taking the lead when Kouassi’s right wing cross fell to Albon, but his effort was deflected fractionally wide for a corner with the keeper beaten.

Cray responded on 88 minutes when Danny Bassett forced Byrne into a terrific save, his powerful shot turned over the bar by the loanee keeper.

It looked like the game would drift towards a 0-0 draw but in stoppage time, Bassett’s cross from the left was inch perfect for substitute Billy Crook, who found himself in enough space to who head home from five yards and give the home side the lead.

There was little time for Canvey to respond and, although they brought on Mike Finneran to add height to their attack ,they were unable to create any more clear chances and went down to a narrow defeat, when a draw would probably have been a fairer result given the circumstances earlier in the half.

Canvey will now have the week to prepare for a bumper Bank Holiday weekend, starting with the visit of promotion favourites Hornchurch on August 26th.