Canvey Island suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat against an in form Aveley side at Parkside.

Poor defending cost Gulls dear as they failed to build on an excellent result against Billericay last Saturday.

Canvey made a fast start with Scott Kashket seeing a shot deflected wide after a well worked short corner.

Aveley took the lead on 16 minutes with former Gull Chris Harris turning the ball home from close range from a low right wing cross from Fletcher Hubbard.

Worse was to follow on 19 minutes when Jayden Gipson was allowed room in the penalty area to fire home a great finish past Jacob Marsden.

Gulls finally called Millers' goalkeeper Joe Wright into action on 32 minutes with two efforts in quick succession. First Finley Dorrell broke on to a pass but under pressure from the defender Wright saved his shot.

Then Abdi Mohamud cut in from the right and his low shot forced Wright into a scrambling save at his near post.

Marsden made a massive save on 41 minutes to keep Canvey in the game spreading himself well to save from Jesse Nwabueze.

Into the second half and Canvey gave themselves hope of a comeback with a quick goal in the first few minutes of the half.

Matas Skarna drilled a low shot past Wright to reduce the arrears.

Within 10 minutes Aveley were 3-1 up with Gipson getting forward again to sweep a left wing cross home for his second goal of the game.

Harry Critchley rattled the crossbar in the last ten minutes with a thunderous drive as Millers looked to seal the game.

Aveley comfortably saw the game out to start the year with a positive result.

Canvey look to bounce back when they face Chichester City on Tuesday night at home.

Match Report by David Powell.