Canvey Island picked up a hard fought point on Tuesday night, as they drew 1-1 draw against Haringey Borough at the Moviestarr Stadium.

On a rain soaked evening under the floodlights, both sides produced an exciting game of attacking football, with Canvey feeling they could have grabbed all three points after missing a host of chances.

It was the visitors though that started brightly, looking impressive on the flanks as the combination of Johhny Ashman and Sam Owusu a constant threat.

They were rewarded for their efforts when they took the lead on 11 minutes. A short corner from the right found Georgios Aresti on the edge of the penalty area. He was given too much space, allowing him the freedom he needed to drill a low, well hit shot past Bobby Mason and into the corner of the net.

This woke Canvey up and they responded well from the setback. They spurned a huge chance to equalise on 17 minutes, as a fine pass from Conor Hubble set Danny Parish charging down the right. His pass fell to Evans Kouassi, who side stepped a defender but saw his effort saved by Luke Mewitt. The rebound fell to Luca Albon, who somehow thumped the ball against the crossbar in the six yard box, when it seemed almost easier to score.

This didn't deter them however and moments later, Canvey were level. Another good attack down the right saw a low cross looking for a striker, but was inconsequently turned into his own net by visiting defender Rakim Richards.

Haringey edged the rest of the half as the elements began to play their part. Another long range effort whizzed just wide of the post shortly after the equaliser and on 36 minutes, Bobby Mason was called into action on his first start of the season after an injury. He did brilliantly to touch Ashman’s shot on to the crossbar after the tricky winger cut in from the right and curled in an effort that seemed destined for the top corner.

Canvey then suffered an injury blow close to half time, with Michael Finneran limping off the pitch after a defensive challenge. Rob Girlestone came on to the replace him.

The Gulls continued to show resolve and just before half time, Evans Kouassi almost managed to poke the ball home from a cross, though Luke Mewitt did enough in the Borough goal to keep it out.

Into the second half and the tempo of the game upped significantly, and end-to-end affair seeing Canvey having numerous chances to go in front on one hand, but fortunate not to go behind on the other.

On 51 minutes, Hubble really should have given Canvey the lead after great work from Kouassi on the left hand side again found the midfielder in space in front of goal. He was caught in two minds however, his attempt neither finding Parish or the net but instead scuffed wide.

Another chance went begging on 59 minutes Parish and Kouassi linking up again, but the later fired his ball across goal just wide at the far post.

It nearly proved costly as Haringey started to enjoy a decent spell of pressure, Owusu cutting inside on 65 minute and forcing a superb low save from Bobby Mason.

The action continued to ebb and flow as both sets of supporters willed their sides on. On 79 minutes, Parish was unable to put away another glorious chance when Kouassi broke down the right and played in a magnificent pass that the striker fired wide at the far post.

Moments later and it was substitute Bradley Sach finding room in the penalty area, but with just the keeper to beat he dragged his shot wide of the near post.

It was then Haringey’s turn to come close, with another well hit shot striking the post, Mason beaten.

Canvey’s luck in front of goal was all but summed up on 84 minutes when Kouassi did brilliantly to beat his markers in the penalty area and, although his shot beat the keeper, Haringey had a player perfectly positioned on the line to clear the ball and keep his side level.

Both sides pushed forward looking for the winner as the game entered it's dying embers. Haringey won a free kick in a promising position in injury time, but the effort drifted wide of the far post. And so it was that both teams had to settle for a draw in a highly entertaining game of football.

Canvey will now take a break from league action to concentrate on the Emirates FA Cup this weekend, St Ives Town the visitors to the Moviestarr Stadium in the 2nd Qualifying Round.