If Canvey Island are able to overcome First Division hosts Braintree in tonight's FA Cup replay, the next qualifying round will recall memories of Gulls' greatest ever season in the competition.

For the winners of tonight's encounter will host Dr Martens Premier Division Kings Lynn in the third qualifying round on Saturday week.

It's local soccer folklore now how the Islanders lost to Kings Lynn at the same stage five years ago - but were reinstated when their opponents were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player.

That decision saw Gulls host Conference outfit Hednesford at Park Lane and they pulled off a sensational victory to earn a first round proper date with Nationwide League Brighton and Albion.

An official crowd of 3,403 saw that epic battle, in which Canvey earned a draw before losing in a replay.

Before even thinking about reliving rivalries with Kings Lynn, Ryman League Premier Division outfit Gulls will have to get tonight's replay out of the way with the right results.

Canvey, by manager Jeff King's own admission, did not play well in Saturday's original tie - which finished in a 1-1 draw.

Even so, they looked like scraping home 1-0 for long periods until Braintree sub Leon Gutzmore, the former Billericay goal hero, grabbed an injury-time equaliser.

For this evening's affair Canvey will have back from suspension Andy Jones in their squad, while Mick Bodley could be recalled to the heart of defence after a spell on the injured list.

Said Canvey boss Jeff King: "The Premier Division is the main thing for us this year, but it would be wrong to suggest we're not interested in the cups.

"The FA Cup is always special and we'd love a good run in it - perhaps even going as far as meeting a Football League club again."

Said Braintree boss Ben Embery, who managed Canvey for five years in the 1980s: "I thought the players did us proud on Saturday with some good football and, if we can repeat that performance tonight, we're in with a chance."

Prior to tonight's game a minute's silence will be held in memory of former West Ham Scottish international striker John Dick, who died last week. He played for Braintree before joining Hammers.

Man to watch - former Billericay Town favourite Leon Gutzmore, pictured (right) being marked by Canvey's Peter Smith, will be hoping to continue his scoring feats for Braintree tonight after grabbing his side's late equaliser at Park Lane on Saturday.

Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.