Both Canvey and Gravesend are staggering towards the finishing line in the most exciting Ryman League Premier Division title race in years.

While most were expecting a thrilling "fight to the death" for a place in the Nationwide Conference next term, the battle is instead developing into a strange affair in which both teams seem intent in handing the honour on a plate to each other.

While Gulls have now won only two of their past four games, the Kent men have obtained maximum points from just one of their last quartet of fixtures.

In fact, Gravesend's second successive 0-0 home draw was the only thing to smile about at Park Lane following the Islanders' 2-1 home demise against Essex rivals Grays.

True, Craig Edwards's visitors still have a chance of finishing third in the League and are fighting to finish above Thurrock rivals Purfleet.

However, with no disrespect, they are the sort of side Canvey, particularly after being given the superb start of Lee Boylan's 38th goal of the season after just four minutes, should have been disposing of with no real problems.

Instead, Jeff King's men gave a bitterly disappointing display which puts them again outsiders in the title stakes. Gravesend, currently a point behind with a game in hand, are favourites to take over the top spot with home victory over third from bottom Hampton tomorrow.

Next weekend, Gulls visit Basingstoke while Gravesend are at Braintree.

The following weekend King's men host Sutton United with Boreham Wood visiting Gravesend.

Both are then away on the final day, April 27, with Gulls at Braintree and the Kent men, managed by ex-Southend United full-back Andy Ford, visiting Bedford Town.

King refused to excuse this latest below par showing by his men on championship nerves -- or on the bitterly cold near gale-force wind which blew across the pitch and made ball control difficult throughout.

Lying on the treatment table in the physio room afterwards - although he probably would have felt more at home on a psychiatrist's couch following his side's display - King shook his head and said: "With a few exceptions the attitude of our players seemed all wrong. Too many of them seemed to think it was going to be easy - that they had some sort of right to win.

"The initiative is definitely back with Gravesend now, but we still have a goal difference ten better than them.

"We'll just have to wait and see. I've just given up trying to predict anything for ourselves or Gravesend over the last couple of weeks . . it's just gone crazy."

Published Monday, April 8, 2002