CANVEY Island manager Danny Heale said his side could have come away from Leiston with the points, despite losing 4-0.

The Gulls’ goal difference took another battering as they were brushed aside in Tuesday’s Ryman Premier League clash, with three first-half goals doing much of the damage.

But Heale said the final score was unfair on his team.

“It was a little bit harsh and we conceded an early goal which was always hard at a team that is on the run of form they are on,” he said.

“We didn’t take our chances and had enough chances to win the game.

“We hit the frame of the goal four times and missed two one-on-ones and if we are more clinical we could have scored plenty of goals.

“If we take them we could have got something from that.

“But the effort and performance level is there. When you are playing these teams you must be more decisive in front of goal.

“We must now dust ourselves down and go again. But I can’t fault the effort.”

Canvey were looking to build on Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Harrow Borough, but knew how hard it would be against the Suffolk side, who had scored four against Billericay Town just three days ago.

Leiston were ahead after 15 minutes when, following a Steve Sheehan foul in the penalty area, Jack Ainsley found the net after his initial effort had been saved by goalkeeper Lewis Moore.

Niko Muir added a second from long range before the half hour mark and the home team added a crucial third just before the interval, with Matt Blake scoring his 31st of a terrific season.

Top-scorer George Sykes hit the post for Canvey shortly after the break only for Byron Lawrence to make it 4-0 on the hour with a composed finish.

Martin Tuohy hit the frame of the goal once again as Canvey searched for a consolation but it was not forthcoming as they made the long trip home empty-handed.