Two former Southend United stars were the goal heroes last night as Canvey Island moved into the top three in the Ryman League First Division.

After Steve Tilson had struck in the opening half, Andy Sussex netted his first League goal of the season after the break to put the Islanders just a point behind the joint leaders.

They have two games in hand on top dogs Braintree and one on second placed Bognor Regis, who trail the leaders on goal difference.

Last night's Surrey hosts have suffered a torrid time recently and are struggling at the wrong end of the table.

They never made it easy for Jeff King's men, but the visitors continued their fabulous run which has now seen them lose just once-- in the FA Trophy at holders Cheltenham - in a 16-match spell which now stretches back to mid-November last year.

For Tilson last night's scoring effort was his 24th of the season, but Sussex, who had netted in the Trophy success over Wisbech last October, couldn't have picked a better time to open his League account for the term.

On Saturday, Canvey will be hoping to pick up three more points, but they host one of the most difficult sides to beat in the division.

Molesey have shared the spoils in no fewer than 13 of their 23 games.

In-form Billericay Town flankman Martin St. Hilaire was a member of the Football Association Representative X1 which beat the British Universities line-up 4-0 in their clash at the Cambridgeshire home of Soham Town Rangers.

He was only Town's second ever player selected for the FA.

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