A CLASSY second half performance helped Canvey beat Harrow with a 3-0 scoreline which looked more comfortable than it was.

The Gulls made a sluggish start with passes going astray and the visitors, who sit 20th in the table, had the best of the first half chances.

Forward Jon-Jo Bates raced onto a long ball in the sixth minute before hitting a shot straight at Ashlee Jones, and then ex-Chelsea man Rob Wolleaston picked up a wayward Ashley Dumas ball but fired miles over.

Canvey strung passes together with a move in the 22nd minute and the move ended with Kevin Dobinson mishitting a shot.

Bates put the ball into the net in the 38th minute after a flowing passing move of their own, but he was left to despair as the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.

The hosts came out for the second half looking more positive, and put together a spell of play which saw Dobinson have a shot cleared off the line by Gary Jones in the 62nd minute.

Three minutes later the pressure paid off, though, as Ashley Miller’s cross was deflected into Bradley Woods-Garness path on the edge of the box, and the ball sat up perfectly for him to half volley into the top left hand corner of the goal, leaving Ross Fitzsimons with no chance.

They doubled their lead in the 68th minute when Richard Orlu nodded back Ashley Dumas’ corner at the back post for captain Rob King to head home.

Jay Curran finished proceedings in the second minute of injury time when he was put through by substitute and debutant George Cocklin.

The academy player had made a strong cross field run before clipping the ball to Curran in the box, and he slotted home with no defenders around him.

Canvey boss Steve Tilson said the second half pleased him.

“We didn’t pass the ball enough in the first half,” he said.

“In the second half we opened them up time and time again and I thought we were worthy winners.”

Canvey: Jones, Miller, Hayles, Orlu, Bondon (Blackwell 84), Chatting, King (Cocklin 89), Dobinson, Dumas, Woods-Garness (Gilbey 84), Curran.

Echo MOM: Jay Curran (Canvey Island).