Great Wakering boss Iain O'Connell admitted that it was "beyond his wildest dreams" when his fourth from bottom side went in at the interval with a four-goal lead over their promotion-chasing hosts.

Gulls went into the match in third place defending a nine-match unbeaten league run stretching back to the start of 2007.

Rovers had lost four games on the spin and were languishing fourth from bottom, although seemingly safe from the dreaded basement two relegation places.

But the form book was thrown out of the window as Rovers totally dominated the opening 45 minutes - and could have gone in at the break with a six-goal advantage.

"I spoke to my assistant Dave Patient and we honestly thought we could get something from this match," said O'Connell.

"Although we'd lost four on the trot, the last two were against the top two, Harlow and AFC Hornchurch, and we'd played some decent football.

"Taking nothing away from Canvey, who have done superbly this season, we certainly didn't come here expecting to be beaten.

"But to go in at the break with a four-goal lead was beyond my wildest dreams. We don't usually get what I call bad goals' where we're helped by the opposition. But we did today.

"This will give us a tremendous boost for the Essex Senior Cup final with Hornchurch at Roots Hall on Tuesday week and we must build on it to improve our league position.

"We were 13th last season and I honestly feel that the division is not as strong as it was then. I'd love us to at least match last season's placing if possible."

Wakering start their bid tomorrow at Essex rivals Wivenhoe but Canvey, who dropped a place to fourth, must quickly put this debacle behind them if they are to remain serious play-off contenders - starting at Enfield Town, the team who overtook them, tomorrow.

Tomorrow's encounter is the start of a run of four away games in 12 days for John Batch's Islanders.

The Islanders were on the back foot from the second minute when opposing skipper Keith Wilson's inswinging free-kick from the right was punched into his own net by goalkeeper Ricky Wiseman.

Wiseman has served Gulls well in their first season at this level.

But he had an uncomfortable first-half and, like his defensive colleagues, was all at sea when Nikki Beale stabbed home Wakering's second from close range on 16 minutes following another Wilson right-wing corner.

Only a good save from Wiseman to thwart Martin Tuohy, and a goal-line clearance by David Kreyling, saved Canvey suffering more woe.

But the floodgates opened after 43 minutes when Wiseman could only parry Neil Richmond's effort and Tuohy pounced on the rebound.

And, on the stroke of half-time, after another corner, this time from the left, Richmond was on hand to head home at the near post.

In the second-half Canvey reverted to a three-man defence and got better, but Wakering rightly concentrated on playing a holding game.

The Islanders pulled back a 60th minute goal when Leon Gordon was judged to have been fouled in the box and skipper Craig Davidson rammed home the penalty.

But Louis Green, in the visiting goal, saved superbly from Jay Curran and Wakering would have added to their impressive tally with a delightful Richmond lob that beat Wiseman, but for an eagle-eyed linesman spotting a hairline offside decision.