Canvey Island suffered their second defeat in 4 days to Chatham Town going down to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Steve's Taxis Stadium.

The defeat leaves Canvey 7 points from safety and with 7 games they left, they have a mountain to climb to stay in the Isthmian Premier despite a performance in which for long spells they were the better team.

Canvey made a bright side with Calum Newson firing narrowly wide on 8 minutes.

Kenedi Dariri then nearly got on the end of Conor Hubble's left wing free kick on the half hour mark.

Into the second half, Matas Skarna had a shot deflected inches wide of Nathan Harvey's goal and Elliott Ronto headed just over the crossbar.

Much of the half, Canvey edged with Skarna impressing down the left but they were unable to create much in front of goal.

Chatham had an opportunity with a shot driven across goal from the left on 72 minutes before the Kent side scored a superb strike to take the lead.

Junior Dixon picked the ball up from range and sent a superb lob that beat Jacob Marsden who was rooted to the spot as the ball dropped into the net.

Canvey tried to get back into the game with little success and Chatham held out comfortably to secure three points that improves their play off aspirations.

Gulls now face a crucial game on Saturday when struggling Hashtag United are the visitors.

Match Report by David Powell.