Match Report by David Powell

Canvey Island's recent upturn in form suffered a setback on Saturday afternoon, as they were defeated 2-1 away at Carshalton Athletic.

In front of a healthy crowd of 475 at Colston Avenue, the Gulls started brightly, taking an early lead and seeming like they earn a third successive win. A sending off just before half time though turned the game in the hosts favour however, seeing them capitalise and flip script, to inflict their first win over the Gulls since 2012.

Brad Wellmen named an unchanged side for the third game running, with new signing Jeremy Santos named among the substitutes after signing on loan in the week from National League South side Tonbridge Angels.

It was the Gulls who started the brightest, and they took an early lead after just 5 minutes. Tobi Tinubu did well to jinx his way towards the byline and play a low pass into the area. The hosts failed to clear their lines, allowing Darren Foxley to win possession and strike a powerful shot into the far corner of Mackenzie Foley's goal, grabbing his first goal for the club.

The hosts looked to reply in kind, enjoying plenty of possession but unable to break down a sturdy Canvey defence, not doing much to threaten Bobby Mason's goal.

The Gulls remained a threat on the break, and could have very well grabbed a second goal just before half time as Chris Harris tested Foley, with the keeper forced into a decent save to keep his strike out.

Just when it seemed like things wee going in Canvey's favour however, disaster struck. Jamie Salmon, who'd already been booked earlier in the half, lunged into for a challenge as the hosts looked to break out of their half. He mistimed it though, bringing down his man and forcing the referee to produce a second yellow, meaning the Canvey captain was sent off.

Now down to 10 men, the Gulls knew they'd have to battle hard to keep their lead alive. Just 20 seconds into the second half however, they caved, as the hosts equalised.

Sharon Ifeanyi broke down the right, and his cross was poked home by Nabeel Ghannam at the far post to level up the game.

The hosts would dominate from that point on, with Kwaku Frimpong thumping a shot off of the crossbar to fire another warning sign at the Gulls. Brad Wellmen rotated his formation, bringing Jeremy Santos on for Harris to give him his Canvey debut.

Try and the Gulla might however, they were getting pinned back by the attacking presence of the hosts, and the game was spun on its head on 67 minutes as they took the lead.

Fabio Saraiva's corner was flicked on by Mason Saunders Henry into the path of David Smith, who headed home from close range past Mason.

Wellmen used his full compliment of substitutes to try and turn the game back in Canvey's favour, but the extra mam advantage helped the hosts to keep them at bay, with their best chances coming from set pieces, but unable to fully test Foley again.

Full time signaled defeat for the Gulls, ending their recent positive upturn, though results elsewhere kept them 6 points from danger. They'll need to dust themselves down quickly though, with a long midweek trip to Hastings United on the horizon.