Canvey kept up the pressure at the top of the Ryman Premier with late goals from Lee Boylan and new man Ollie Berquez taking the points at relegation candidates Heybridge Swifts.

This Essex derby was a hotly-contested affair, with Neil Cousins almost giving the hosts a shock lead early on with a shot that came back off the crossbar with Ashley Harrison well beaten.

Heybridge had drafted in veteran striker Steve Portway in search of goals, and the non-league hotshot again played in Cousins via Lewis Baillie, only for the forward to screw his shot wide.

Boylan appeared Canvey's only enthusiastic outlet in a quiet first period for the division's top scorers.

The second half saw the pre-season Ryman favourites step up a gear. Nick Bennett and Boylan both saw headers well saved by Darren Placid, while attack-minded Jeff Minton was also denied by the Heybridge number one.

And Minton, it was, who provided the pass that gained this match, and Canvey's, breakthrough. His teasing centre on 75 minutes was stabbed home from four yards by top scorer Lee Boylan.

And as Akpo sodje spooned Swifts' chance of an equaliser, the Gulls celebrated by stealing a second, as Berquez smothered home Chris Duffy's cross on the final whistle.

The Islanders remain ten points behind leaders Aldershot with a game in hand.

January 26, 2003 20:30