A second-half half recovery aided by Canvey having their goalkeeper Ashley Harrison dismissed enabled Fleet to keep their FA Trophy prospects alive.

Harrison, who had been over-elaborate in dribbling in his own box a couple of times tried showing off once too often.

Some five minutes into the second half he was forced to bring down substitute Keith Martin and referee Graham Horwood immediately brandished the red card. But after a long delay Paul Linger struck the kick against the post.

And when Martin knocked the ball home shortly afterwards only to have what looked a perfectly good goal ruled out, strong signs that Purfleet would get beaten.

However 16-year-old replacement keeper Glenn Johnson was finally beaten for real with 14 minutes remaining when Martin scored from another cross and then on 80 minutes Linger grabbed the equaliser.

Considering they were without cup-tied Cliff Akurang and Terry Bowes, plus had Steve Brown sidelined by flu, Purfleet had every right to be pleased with the result.

As in the league game at Park Lane just before Christmas, the visitors had hit the woodwork with the game goalless, this time through Dean Chandler.

The Islanders, though, were soon into their flowing best and one move after 31 minutes saw Lee Boylan cross from the right and Paul Cobb outstripped the defence to shoot home.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0. This time in-form Chris Duffy sent over the ball rom the left and, under heavy pressure from Cobb, Chandler could only push the ball into his own net.

Published Monday January 14, 2002