WITH usual wing-back Chris Duffy relieved of defensive duties due to Canvey's new-look 4-4-2 line-up, he and Ollie Berquez promised some early danger for Gulls down the left-hand side.

In fact the Islanders looked far more threatening than their hosts in the opening spell and it was from Woking's first real dangerous attack on the 17 minute mark that they took the lead.

Steve Evans won the ball in midfield and sent Michael Johnson free on the left.

Peter Smith missed out on his attempted challenge, leaving the Woking man free to send over a perfectly weighted cross which agonisingly beat Gavin Cowan and allowed lone striker Justin Richards to head home at the far post.

In a battle of contrasting styles, Canvey continued to employ neat build ups with Woking relying on long balls through to the outstanding Richards.

Goal star Lee Boylan, finding it hard to escape the attentions of a strong home defence, showed superb skill on the turn after 23 minutes but saw his cross too deep for attack partner Junior McDougald, preferred to skipper Neil Gregory.

Then a typical run from Berquez earned Gulls a corner on the left which McDougald flashed across the area without anyone able to get a touch.

Richards, a bit player at previous club Stevenage but very much a star at the Kingfield Stadium, flashed a tremendous 30-yard effort against the woodwork on the 28th minute, but generally the midfield probings of Ben Sedgemore and co were keeping the visitors in the driving seat.

It was the former Lincoln midfielder who was fouled by ex Roots Hall man Ian Selley on the left after 35 minutes which led to McDougald's free-kick being headed over at the far post by Gavin Cowan.

The youngster and Steve Ward both came in for their first starts at the heart of defence and, although the duo both had storming games, the added attacking potential of Cowan earned him star Canvey rating over his more experienced colleague.

Boylan's neat touch put Berquez clear after 41 minutes, but he screwed his shot hopelessly wide and, on the verge of half-time, Sedgemore suffered the same fate following a smooth flowing move.

Only a good Simon Jackson challenge stopped McDougald homing in on goal soon after the restart and then a partially cleared free-kick ended with John Kennedy firing into the arms of home keeper Shwan Jalal.

Woking's lack of attacking intention led to home fans in the 1,845 crowd getting on the backs of their players, and the home goal was under threat again when a Duffy cross nearly let in Boylan.

The Surrey side enjoyed a rare attacking foray when Ward was perilously close to heading Johnson's cross into his own net.

Canvey had one of their best attacking raids when McDougald attempted to slip the ball to Berquez in front of goal on 66 minutes, but defender Jon Boardman managed to deflect the cross out and Duffy's follow-up cleared the bar.

Ex-West Ham striker Amos Foyewa's introduction at last gave Richards some support, but the Islanders still posed the bigger threat, and McDougald's right-wing corner saw Cowan send in a header that Iraq-born keeper Jalal saved with his legs.

Speedy winger Jon Keeling earned a corner when he came on for Gulls in a last-ditch bid to earn a point, but the game ended in controversy.

Ward, not shown a card when he was deemed to have fouled Richards on the edge of the box 10 minutes from time, was sent off with four minutes to go.

Foyewa broke clear of the rearguard, but pushed the ball too far in front and Potter was rushing out to clear with ease when Ward collided with the striker.

Referee Mr Sainsbury had a red card in store for Ward, but his suggestion that the Canvey man had denied Foyewa a scoring opportunity seemed way off the mark.

* Full match reaction in Monday's Evening Echo