Match report by David Powell

Canvey Island were held to a drew by Aveley in a top of the table clash at Parkside.

In front of an impressive crowd of 679, Canvey were 3 minutes away from inflicting a first home defeat of the season on the hosts but were pegged back by an 87th goal from Alex Akrofi.

Canvey started the game in second place behind leaders Aveley in the Isthmian North table and created the first chance of the game.

On 8 minutes, Matt Price picked up the ball on the left hand edge of the penalty area but his shot was deflected inches wide of the target.

Aveley responded with Jonathan Nzengo sending a thunderous drive from 20 yards inches wide of the post before former Gulls' striker George Sykes poked an effort wide at the far post.

Canvey opened the scoring in the 27th minute. A left wing corner into the penalty area struck Sykes looped up into the air and fell to Elliott Ronto who bundled the ball past David Hughes and into the net.

After the goal, Aveley enjoyed a great deal of possession without really testing Bobby Mason in the Canvey goal.

The Millers made a determined start to the second half and only a good goal line clearance prevented Sykes from equalising on 47 minutes with Harry Gibbs heading the resulting corner wide.

Canvey settled and twice could have extended their lead. Price first used his strength to outmuscle a defender before firing a shot inches wide of the post. Then the referee played an excellent advantage after Evans Kouassi was fouled but managed to escape the defender down the right. His cross fell to Price who with the goal gaping miskicked the ball. The loose ball fell to Harrison Chatting whose shot was blocked well by a defender.

For much of the half, Aveley probed the Canvey defence but the Gulls backline held firm with Mike Finneran and Elliott Johnson in particular having excellent games.

Canvey were rather unfortunate to concede on 87 minutes when it looked like they might have done enough to earn the three points. A long throw from the right was flicked on and found Akrofi at the far post to sweep the ball home.

The final few minutes of the game were fairly uneventful with both sides happy to take a point.

Canvey now face Bury Town at Park Lane next weekend in another fixture crucial to their title aspirations.