Canvey Island picked up a deserved 3 points with an excellent 1-0 victory over local rivals Billericay Town.

Gulls were good value for their win and could have won by a larger margin.

Canvey made a fast start with Sam Donkin saving at his near post from Scott Kashket in the first few minutes.

Jack Evans forced Jacob Marsden in the Canvey goal into a decent low save after 6 minutes before a goal mouth scramble in the Canvey penalty area was somehow cleared to safety.

Marsden made a good save with his legs from Elliott Long's effort from the edge of the penalty area on 29 minutes.

Into the second half and Finlay Dorrell could have given Canvey the lead midway through the half after Donkin raced from his goal to clear a loose ball. With the keeper stranded, Dorrell's lob just cleared the crossbar.

Dorrell had another chance volleying wide before Newson sent an acrobatic effort of the target.

In the last ten minutes, Dorrell raced on to a long ball and beat the defence but slammed his shot wide with just Donkin to beat.

Going into injury time, Gulls won the game with Calum Newson getting his head to a left wing cross that crossed the line despite the best efforts of Donkin to keep it out.

The win gives Canvey a fighting chance of staying in the Isthmian Premier League before Friday's match away at Aveley.

Match Report by David Powell.