TEN-man Canvey Island held on for a deserved Ryman One North victory over Maldon Town at Park Lane last night.
The only goal of the game arrived after 27 minutes when Nicky Rugg set up Danny Curran to give the Gulls the lead.
Curran's goal completed a change in fortune for the homeside, who had missed a penalty just a few moments earlier.
Curran himself was pulled back by Maldon's Ollie Blackwell, only for Craig Davidson to see his spot-kick saved by the visiting goalkeeper.
The second half saw both sides creating chances before Canvey striker Gabriel Fanibuyan was sent-off for two bookable offences - the second coming when he failed to retreat at a free-kick - with 15 minutes remaining.
However, the Gulls held firm thanks to some superb last-ditch defending.
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