Canvey manager Glen Alzapiedi said he had to substitute red-hot striker Bradley Woods-Garness on Saturday because of a problem in the changing room at half-time.

Woods-Garness was replaced at the interval by Danny Heale, just minutes after he had given the play-off chasing Gulls a 1-0 lead in the Ryman Premier game at Hastings United.

The former Billericay Town marksman, who was top scorer in the division last season, has bagged eight goals for the club in his 14 matches since making his debut against Concord Rangers on Boxing Day.

He joined Canvey on a dual registration with Sutton United in December and has become a firm fans’ favourite at Park Lane with a number of important goals, including long-range efforts against Hornchurch and Hendon, and a spectacular over-head kick against Lowestoft Town.

Canvey manager Glen Alzapiedi said: “I had to substitute Bradley Woods-Garness on Saturday because there was a problem with him in the changing room at half-time, and that is all I can say on the matter at the moment. It will be resolved this week.”

The game with Hastings ended in a 1-1 draw and meant Canvey had a return of four points from an available nine over the past week.

Alzapiedi said they have not given up on breaking into the play-offs, but that it would take a great run now.

He said: “When I took over we were a little bit adrift, but we have come back into it a bit with some good results.

“It is still a big ask because we are relying on the likes of Hendon and Bury Town dropping points, and they are good sides.

“But we had a great late run last year to get in contention, and we would need to do that again this time to get in the mix.

“That is not always possible, but we will be trying our hardest to do that.”