CANVEY Island manager Danny Heale is content after opening the new Isthmian North season with a draw, and says he is now preparing his team for a visit from ‘hard-working’ Tilbury tonight.

The Gulls drew 1-1 with AFC Sudbury on Saturday, with only a deflected strike three minutes from time preventing Heale’s team from claiming all three points.

Tilbury were also pegged back by a late goal at the weekend, as Grays Athletic scored a last minute penalty to win 2-1 at Chadfields.

And Heale is aware of the challenges Gary Henty’s team will pose at the Frost Financial Stadium.

“We were excellent in the first half and were very creative,” he said.

“To be fair, Sudbury came out in the second half and gave it a good go.

“The referee gave a terrible decision for a free-kick on the edge of the box and they got a deflection which you just can’t account for.

“But I was happy with the team.

“As for Tilbury, it is a local derby and we are at home so if we can take the performance level from Saturday in to tonight’s game then we can get some points.

“They will be in our faces and working hard.

“We want to make sure our home form puts us in a good position come the end of the season.

“We need to defend well and take our chances.”

Striker David Knight returns for Canvey, although Ashley Dumas is unavailable.