Canvey Island 1-2 Mildenhall Town

(Melaugh 78’ (p): Ofosu 5’, Debenham 76’)

From the Frost Hire Stadium

Isthmian North

CANVEY Island were surprisingly beaten at home by Mildenhall Town as they missed an opportunity to close the gap at the top of the Isthmian North.

The Gulls were in good form at home and were looking to extend that run against Mildenhall Town.

But they got off to the worst possible start. A left wing cross found the run of Claudio Ofosu and he crashed the ball past goalkeeper Ashlee Jones.

Looking to respond, Jake Pitty and George Sykes combined to neat effect with the ball dropping for Sam Collins but his strike was unusually wayward from 20 yards.

A Frankie Merrifield drive was well blocked as the Gulls continued to press, with the midfielder stinging the palms of stopper Jacob Marsden shortly before the break.

Ryan Melaugh saw a goalbound effort deflected wide as Canvey ended the half well but without the goal they craved.

Into the second period, Jerrome Sobers was needed to make a key intervention as Mildenhall threatened once again.

But Melaugh looked the most likely outfit, his free-kick inches wide following a deflection.

And Canvey were to concede a second with 15 minutes to go. A cross was met by Tom Debenham with Mildenhall in dream land.

But Canvey hit straight back.

A foul on Sykes in the penalty area resulted in a penalty, and it was a kick that was converted by Melaugh.

But that was as good as it got for Canvey.

Canvey Island: Jones, Pitty, Dumas, Norman (Gilbey 62’), Sobers, Warren, Merrifield, Collins, Sykes, Walker, Melaugh