CANVEY Island have moved up to second place in the Isthmian North standings after securing a late 1-0 win over Bury Town.

Mitchell Gilbey grabbed the only goal of the game with 10 minutes to play, while the away side finished the clash with 10 men.

Danny Heale’s side went into the game full of confidence after claiming a 6-3 victory over Grays Athletic in midweek.

And Sam Collins, who netted in that high-scoring win, came close to getting on the scoresheet inside the opening 20 minutes, only to be foiled by Luis Tibbles.

The visitors had a goal disallowed soon after as Oliver Hughes was adjudged to have fouled Ashlee Jones while heading home.

Just before the break, Gilbey could not direct his header on target following a cross from Frankie Merrifield.

George Sykes was denied by Tibbles, who seemed to handle the striker’s long range effort while running back to goal. But the referee claimed the ball had struck the goalkeeper on the chest.

Ryan Jolland fired wide when through one-on-one for Bury Town, while a Ashley Dumas volley was superbly stopped by Tibbles as both sides went in search of a winner.

Darren Mills picked up two quickfire yellow cards to reduce the away side to 10 men.

And five minutes later, Canvey took advantage as Gilbey coolly slotted home to extend the Gulls’ winning run to five games.

Canvey Island: Jones, Pitty, Dumas, Craddock (Norman 86’), Warren, Sheehan, Merrifield, Collins, Sykes, Gilbey (Walker 90’), Nesbitt (Charles 68’)