Battling midfielder Scott Lindsey is back in the Canvey squad for tonight's visit to Molesey in the Ryman League First Division.

Manager Jeff King will make a late decision on whether to reintroduce Lindsey into the side at the end of his one-match ban after Gulls produced one of their best performances of the season on Saturday in outplaying fellow promotion challengers Hitchin and winning 3-0.

With Mark Barry still out injured, veteran star Danny O'Shea stepped in at the weekend and produced a superb display to earn a fulsome tribute from King.

He said: "Danny did a great job for us. He's a model professional. He's had a long career at Nationwide League level with clubs such as Southend United, where he was skipper.

"However, any time I haven't been able to find a place for him in the starting line-up he never moans or starts sulking.

"He just goes quietly away and trains, very often on his own, to keep himself fit. He's a tremendous example to younger players," the manager added.

Saturday's victory took the Islanders three points clear of nearest rivals Braintree with four games in hand at the top.

Molesey have suffered a torrid time since they lost 2-1 in a battling performance at Park Lane early in February.

Since the Canvey match they have lost five games on the trot and, from a comfortable mid-table position, are now in grave danger of slipping into the relegation zone.

Even so, King is taken nothing for granted as his team power on in what appears to be an unstoppable surge towards the title.

He said: "After a number of home games on the trot, we're away for the next five and it's important we keep up the standards we've been setting ourselves at Park Lane."

l Jeff King will go into tonight's match boosted by the news that he has been named Ryman League Division One manager of the month for February by William Hill.

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