Two goals from attack leader Neil Gregory allowed Canvey to move smoothly into second place in the Ryman League Premier Division table.

The Gulls are two points behind top dogs Braintree with a game in hand after the 2-0 win over Maidenhead at Park Lane on Tuesday night.

Despite the fact that he was sidelined for a number of weeks with an ankle injury, the brace captured by ex Colchester United man Gregory saw him move up to seven goals for the season - one behind joint leading marksmen Paul Cobb and Steve Tilson.

Both were rested along with defensive kingpin Ben Chenery, although skipper Tilly is still feeling the effects of an Achilles problem, to allow other squad players to get into the action. Find out more about Canvey Island FC Lee Boylan was only just off target in the first minute for Gulls and that proved a sign of things to come with Gregory threading the ball home through a crowded goalmouth to make it 1-0 after 11 minutes.

Three minutes later captain for the night Mick Bodley stepped forward from defence to send a scorching long range effort just over, but to be fair, the visitors, managed by ex West Ham and England favourite Alan Devonshire, battled back with spirit. Jamie Jarvis had one dangerous effort blocked and Rob Saunders fired just wide from 25 yards.

The second-half was just five minutes old when Maidenhead more or less killed off their own chances of getting back into the game when Chris Ferdinand, cousin of Les and Rio, needlessly fouled Steve Parmenter in the penalty area and Gregory sent Richard Barnard the wrong way with the spot-kick.

Again the Berkshire visitors refused to throw in the towel, but they tired visibly in the later stages and both Parmenter (header) and Adam Miller (shot) went close to making it 3-0.

Barnard saved in diving style from Boylan, but nearest Canvey came to making it 3-0 was on the 78 minute mark. Substitute Wayne Vaughan crashed an effort against an upright and, from the rebound, Barnard did well to deny both Gregory and Boylan in quick succession.

By this stage Barnard was almost playing Gulls on his own and saved his side again with a good stop from Miller's free-kick.

Cobb came off the bench for the last minute, and, with his first touch, was only just too high.

This was Canvey's 11th game without defeat - they've won ten of them - and coach Glenn Pennyfather admitted to being satisfied afterwards when he said: "We were the better side and always looked likely winners.

"We might have had more goals - their keeper did well late on but we kept out good run going and that was important."

Canvey host Basingstoke on Saturday and, if they win, could well take over at the top as Braintree have a very difficult game at third place Gravesend.

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