CANVEY Island boss Danny Heale was full of praise after his side overcame a previously unbeaten Maldon & Tiptree.

Josh Hutchinson’s brace steered the Gulls to a 2-1 win and all three points at Park Drive.

And Heale felt his players profited from featuring in two friendlies since their Isthmian North victory over Bury Town.

Heale said: “We knew it was going to be a tough game but we feel like we’re in a good place.

“We used the two week break well and played two friendlies within that. We got some players back from injury and worked on their fitness levels.

“It’s a big result for us and we know we can beat anyone on our day in this league but we had a bit about us to get the win in the end and we saw the game out well.

“There were some big performances. We stuck together and were good with and without the ball.

“We did our job but we need to be a bit more consistent. We’ve got two wins on the bounce so hopefully we can go on a bit of a run now.”

Hutchinson broke the deadlock on the half hour mark but, after a foul by Gulls goalkeeper Harry Palmer, Decarrey Sheriff was able to level matters from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

However, Canvey were not to be denied all three points and Hutchinson scored the winner with just four minutes to play.

Canvey Island: Palmer, Pitty, Brown, Figura, Jolliffe (Allen 12), Sheehan, Hutchinson, Gilbey, Cox (Kellum 64), Merrifield, Agyakwa (Collins 78)