Canvey boss Jeff King slammed his "cheating" players as they took their Ryman League Premier Division run to just one point from four games with an abysmal display against bottom side Boreham Wood.

Gulls have slumped alarmingly since their outside hopes of catching leaders Dagenham and Redbridge disappeared with a home setback against Hampton and Richmond a fortnight ago.

Said King: "Some of our players seemed to have decided to call it a day since then. As far as I'm concerned there were only about four of our men out there today who didn't cheat.

"We've had great first season at Premier level and were in with a great chance of at least runners-up spot, but if we carry on like this it will be more like fifth or sixth.

"They've all got to realise that throwing in the towel when there's no chance of actually winning something is totally unacceptable at this club.

"You'll never hear me having a go at players for having a bad game, but not trying is something I just won't tolerate. The way I feel at the moment there were a number of players out there today who won't be with us next season."

Gulls go to an Aldershot side who look favourites for second spot now tonight and it will be no surprise if, in front of what will be a huge crowd, the Islanders raise their performance .

Said coach Glenn Pennyfather: "We want to go down there and play well and win but, if we do, that will make performances such as the one we've given today even more insulting.

"To get anywhere at this level you have to be a side that goes out to give 100 per cent right from the start whatever the opposition."

To meet Canvey in such lacklustre mood was a dream come true for the visitors and their small army of enthusiastic fans among a 570-strong crowd.

But for some great goalkeeping from Canvey's Ashley Harrison, and disappointing finishing on their own part, Boreham Wood could have had the match sewn up well before the break.

Hard-working attack leader John Lawford hooked wide after five minutes and then, three minutes later, played the ball weakly into Harrison's arms when clean through.

The home keeper then had to block an effort from Andre Delisser when Lawford put him clear on the 16-minute mark.

But Harrison had no chance when Mark Robson, a thorn in the side of the Canvey defence throughout, opened the scoring eight minutes later.

The Canvey defence has not looked happy since kingpin Steve Ward dropped out with an ankle injury four games ago, but one could not help but admire Harrison's resolve and the rearguard skills of Micky Bennett here.

Canvey's one real moment of threat in the opening 45 minutes came three minutes before half-time when David Kerslake crashed a 25-yard free-kick against an upright.

The second-half saw a great double save by Harrison to thwart Lawford and Paul Kelly in a busy spell after 62 minutes.

Astonishingly, after such an inept display, Canvey might have grabbed a leveller after 75 minutes when, for about the first time in the match, Mark Stimson and Chris Duffy put together a flowing midfield move.

Neil Gregory carried it on to leave whole-hearted Andy Jones - who could never be accused of deserting the cause - free, but for once Gulls' record all-time scorer fired wide.

With Stimson, Duffy and Gregory all collecting cautions among the five handed out by the referee it all added up to an afternoon to forget for the Park Lane faithful.

But Craig Davidson battled away and new signing Peter Smith fought manfully to try and come to grips with his out-of-position central defensive role.

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