CANVEY boss Jeff King was in philosophical mood at Park Lane last night after an injury-time Chris Duffy goal saw his side avoid their third consecutive Nationwide Conference home defeat.

The Islanders had been very much second best, particularly in the opening half, against fellow Conference newcomers Crawley Town.

But the Gulls would have won the game but for a spectacular effort by visiting goalkeeper to keep out Gavin Cowan's goalbound header in the dying seconds.That meant they had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Said King: "It's a strange old game. I thought we played Halifax off the park on Satur-day at times without being able to get the ball in the net.

"We really battered them and ending up losing 1-0. Tonight we didn't play that well. Coach Glenn Pennyfather and myself really tore into the players at half-time. We were 1-0 down and deserved to be a couple more behind.

"We got better in the second-half, but even then, after getting back into the match quickly, fell behind to another sloppy goal.

"Our late equaliser was an excellent effort, but overall we probably only just about deserved a draw, if that.

"Having said that I'm not unhappy with the way that our first few weeks in the Conference have gone. We may only have won twice, both of them away, but we've also only lost twice in nine games.