CANVEY Island maintained their 100 per cent winning start to the campaign by enjoying a 3-1 victory over neighbours Hullbridge Sports.

The Gulls made the short trip to the Ryan’s Heating Stadium having already triumphed against Romford, Grays Athletic and Stotfold this term.

Although Yemi Adelani grabbed a late goal for Hullbridge, Josh Hutchinson, George Purcell and Tobi Joseph efforts ensured Mark Bentley’s Canvey would record a derby win.

Canvey opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Ade Osifuwa showed good awareness to intercept a pass and then played an impressive ball in behind Sports’ defence.

Hutchinson was on hand to guide the ball home from an acute angle after Purcell and Hullbridge goalkeeper Rob Budd failed to make contact with the delivery.

Hullbridge responded with Tim Monsheju forcing Lamar Johnson into a one-handed save.

Canvey’s Jason Hallett saw a strike deflect onto the top of the crossbar moments later, while Budd parried a Hutchinson drive away.

The Gulls doubled their lead 11 minutes after the interval with a fine team goal.

A move involving Johnson, Osifuwa, Hallett and Joseph ended with the ball being squared to an unmarked Purcell, who found the back of the net for the fourth time this season.

Hullbridge substitute Matthew Baxter failed to beat Johnson after being played through on goal.

And, having survived the scare, Canvey made the points safe with 11 minutes remaining.

Debutant Samrai Gebrai made an instant impression after coming off the bench by finding Joseph, who turned a defender before rifling home.

While Purcell was denied a second goal of the afternoon by Budd, Hullbridge netted in the dying moments.

Osifuwa was adjudged to have fouled Luke Hornsley in the penalty area and Adelani sent Johnson the wrong way from the spot.

However, the goal came too late for Hullbridge to stage a late comeback.

Basildon United suffered a 3-1 defeat at Grays Athletic.

The Bees, who scored 13 goals in their last two outings, broke the deadlock inside six minutes as Harry Doyle headed a Joe Turpin flick-on home.

But Grays levelled matters through Steve King soon after.

Manny Ogunrinde struck the post for Grays after the interval and, with just five minutes remaining, Tony Stokes put the hosts in front.

And Stokes wrapped up the three points from the penalty spot late on to put the game beyond Basildon.

Meanwhile, Great Wakering Rovers lost 2-0 to promotion favourites Coggeshall Town.

Conor Hubble broke the deadlock two minutes before the break.

Tevan Allen ensured Wakering would leave empty-handed by adding his name to the scoresheet.