Jay Smith's second-half double took Southend United through in a dramatic FA Cup 1st Round clash against Canvey Island at Park Lane last night.

Canvey's gallant 1-1 draw in the first match at Roots Hall had given the Ryman Premier favourites the edge going into last night's televised clash.

And Jeff King's underdogs started well, taking a 10th minute lead through top scorer Lee Boylan.

Third Division Southend were back on level terms when Tesfaye Bramble stabbed in the equaliser, but battling Canvey were back in front before the break with a goal of real quality.

Jeff Minton beat the offside trap to nudge the ball past Daryl Flahaven and stab into an empty net, and the Gulls were dreaming.

But no sooner had Southend restarted the second half had this tie taken another dramatic turn, as Smith took up possession on the halfway line and advanced to send a low drive to the right of Danny Potter and into the corner for United's equaliser.

Flahaven and Danny Potter pulled off outstanding stops as the time progressed towards 90 minutes, but there was to be a final and cruel twist in the tale of the Ryman League hopefuls.

Goalscorer Smith received a deflected pass on the edge of the box in the final minute of the game and crashed a spectacular drive past Potter as Southend scraped through in the 92nd minute.

Canvey boss Jeff King was full of praise for his troops after the game, stating that, "I couldn't have asked for anything more of the guys. They have played like that all season and it just wasn't enough tonight."

For more on Ryman Premier League sides see our Ryman Premier League section

More reaction in today's Evening Echo

Published Thursday November 20, 2003