Canvey Island returned to the top of the Pitching In Isthmian League North with a resounding 3-0 win away to fellow promotion hopefuls AFC Sudbury on Tuesday night.

At a cold MEL Group Stadium, the Gulls scored twice before half time and then weathered an early storm in the second half before killing the game off with a third.

Manager Brad Wellmen named the same starting XI that had beaten Hullbridge Sports 6-2 three days earlier. There was however a new face on the bench in the shape of attacker Bradley Sach who signed before the match from Bowers & Pitsea.

Canvey’s first chance came on 13 minutes when Matthew Price shifted the ball sideways for Michael Finneran to strike after a free kick was delivered into the box. The defender made a good connection but saw his effort hit the side netting.

The hosts then had a period of pressure, with Jack Clowsley seeing a header saved on 19 minutes before strike partner Ross Wall nodded across goal and wide a couple of minutes later.

Jamie Salmon came close on 25 minutes with a half volley from 20 yards, striking the ball powerfully following a clearance but seeing his shot deflect off a defender and sail narrowly wide.

The Gulls opened the scoring on the half hour mark when Evans Kouassi was played in down the left, getting to the touchline before cutting the ball back for Matthew Price. The forward timed his run perfectly, shooting first time and placing his low shot passed the keeper.

It was 2-0 soon afterwards when Jey Siva’s cross from the left was poked towards goal by Kouassi. Goalkeeper Dion-Curtis Henry managed to keep the shot out but failed to hold on, with Kouassi on hand to fire the rebound into the roof of the net from close range.

Comfortably ahead at the break, Elliott Ronto nearly added a third on 53 minutes when his low shot from the edge of the box was saved by the keeper diving low to his right.

The hosts then enjoyed a period of sustained pressure, getting the ball into wide areas and delivering some dangerous crosses in the Canvey penalty area. Their best chance came on 61 minutes when Jack Clowsley saw his low shot saved by Bobby Mason having cut in from the right.

Having come through this phase of the match on the back foot with their clean sheet still intact, Matthew Price then had a great chance on 68 minutes when Evans Kouassi clipped over a cross from the right. Price connected on the volley, but sent his shot over the crossbar from 12 yards.

The points were secured five minutes later when a smart flick by Conor Hubble over his shoulder allowed Harrison Chatting to burst into the box. Chatting’s shot from the left of goal was smothered by the keeper, but the loose ball fell to Matthew Price who pivoted before steering a low shot into the bottom corner.

It was so nearly 4-0 on 76 minutes when Price attempted to turn from goal scorer to provider. His cross from the right caught a deflection off a defender which sent it towards goal. However, Dion-Curtis Henry did brilliantly to keep the ball out diving low to his left, turning the ball onto the post before pouncing on rebound.

The full time whistle confirmed Canvey's return to the top of the division ahead of a tough match against in-form Barking at Park Lane on Saturday.