Gulls seemed to be cruising when after 40 minutes they lead 2-0 but a goal just before half time by Wakering and then two more in the second half completed a superb turnaround for a side that are struggling in the bottom four.

Gulls were dominant for much of the first half. After 11 minutes, Conor Hubble fired a low shot wide after Matt Price crossed from the right and Odei Martin Sorondo laid the ball into the path of the midfielder.

Canvey made their pressure count on 31 minutes when Evans Kouassi robbed Connor Martin down the right and squared for Matt Price to fire home from close range.

Canvey went further ahead on 39 minutes with Odei Martin Sorondo scoring for the second consecutive game. The former Heybridge midfielder picked the ball up on the left and fired a perfect curling shot past former Canvey keeper Tim Brown and into the corner of the net.

Just when it seemed Canvey had the game wrapped up, Wakering scored just before half time to give themselves a fighting chance of a comeback.

Jermaine Anderson picked the ball up and dribbled towards goal before firing a well-placed shot beyond Bobby Mason into the corner of the net.

The goal came at an excellent time for Wakering who are now managed by former East Thurrock manager John Coventry and they started the second half well. Darnell Mavanga Kithambo found space in the penalty area and got in an effort that Bobby Mason did well to save down by his post.

They drew level on 64 minutes. Jamie Salmon was judged to have committed a foul in the penalty area and up stepped former Canvey striker Martin Tuohy to slot home the ball home despite Mason guessing the right way but unable to keep the ball out.

Canvey pushed hard to regain the lead. Miles Mitchell-Nelson got on the end of Martin Sorondo's free kick but his header was held well by Brown and then substitute Liam Oliver volleyed high and wide after receiving Tobi Tinubu's cut back.

Against the run of play, Wakering scored a well-executed goal on the break. Anderson was played through and slotted home past Mason with 13 minutes left to play.

Canvey surged forward looking for an equaliser. Kouassi struck the post with a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area and then saw an overhead kick drop inches wide of the post.

Gulls won several corners in injury time with Mason even joining the action on a couple of occasions but were nearly caught again on the counter attack when Kithambo broke free but Mason did well to save.

The whistle blew soon after to seal a disappointing home defeat for Canvey.

Photo: KJA Sports Images