Title favourites Canvey suffered an opening day defeat, losing 2-1 at Church Road to Hayes.
The hosts, freshly relegated from the Conference, were out-played for much of the first half, frequently succumming to the many attacking options the Gulls had on show. Last year's Golden Boot winner Lee Boylan was a continual threat, but Hayes celebrated riding their luck by taking the lead three minutes before half-time.
Jamie Jarvis made a nuisance of himself in the box before the ball eventually ran to new man Justin Cochrane who tucked it into the net.
The lead was extended midway through the second half as Dean Clark's lofted corner found Cochrane unmarked, and the former QPR man bagged his second.
Steve Parmenter gave Canvey a lifeline with a quarter of an hour to play, embarking on a splendid solo run before finishing well. Jeff King's men couldn't find the equaliser though and will look to improve against newly promoted Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday night at Park Lane.
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