CANVEY Island’s trip to rivals Grays Athletic tonight will be a “ding-dong battle” rather than a game for the purists, according to Gulls manager Danny Heale.

The two fallen giants, who have both competed in the Conference National, go head-to-head at Mill Field having endured differing starts to the season.

While Grays sit joint top of the Ryman Premier League standings, the Gulls sit in 18th (at the time of press) and still searching for their first win of the new campaign.

And Heale, who watched his side battle back from 4-2 down to claim a draw with Leatherhead on Saturday, says Canvey need to tighten up defensively if they are to continue their good recent record against Grays and take the points.

“We look like we are going to score every time we go forward and concede every time we go backwards and we need to look at that,” he said. “Every little error is being punished at the moment and we be looking to correct that against Grays.

“I have heard the pitch is horrendous, so I don’t think it will be a footballing game, but a bit more of a ding-dong battle and we will be up to the challenge.

“We have done OK against Grays in the past, aside from the cup game last week, so we will be looking to continue that. But they are (joint) top of the table and are a good side so we know it will be tough.”

Canvey had won four of the last five games against Grays, who are managed by former Southend United midfielder Mark Bentley, before the Thurrock side knocked the Gulls out of the Ryman League Cup on penalties last week.

But both managers made a host of changes for the clash, with Heale saying he only expects to make one or two changes for the match tomorrow, following the thrilling weekend draw.

“It was a game of two halves,” reflected Heale. “The first 10 or 15 minutes we looked really good but then we fell asleep, conceded three goals in quick succession and looked all over the show.

“But to come back in the way we did showed character and I am pleased with that. We have taken draws from games against Leiston, Bognor Regis and Leatherhead and that is a good platform to build on.

“I have a few players in mind in regards to changes,” he added. “Lawrence Yiga came through 90 minutes of Saturday after injury and suspension but the team is fit and ready.”