Canvey Island soccer boss Jeff King wore a contented smile after seeing his troops quickly live up to his promise "someone could take a real hiding from us before too long."

Even seeing top goal star Lee Boylan stretchered off and taken to hospital with a suspected ankle ligament injury could not prevent King's delight at seeing the Islanders demolish hosts Stevenage Borough 4-1.

Gulls had failed to find the net in three of their previous four games, but were in unstoppable mood at Broadhall Way to make it a miserable night for the host side's former Southend United goalkeeper Andy Woodman.

Said King: "I'd like to think that we can use this result as a springboard to a quick climb up the Nationwide Conference table.

"I think this was probably our best display so far this season.

"We certainly haven't been playing badly, but tonight we looked just that little bit sharper and faster.

"We were well worth the win and their manager Graham Westley was quick to concede that when he shook hands with me at the end."