Gulls ended their pre-season campaign with a battling defeat against the team who pipped them for Ryman Premier Division honours last term.

Yet despite the heavy scoreline it was by no means a one-sided game -- Canvey made wholesale changes to give their squad of 20 experience and also hit the woodwork twice.

The match turned on a penalty decision in the first half as Steve Parmenter was harshly adjudged to have fouled a Gravesend attacker on 31 minutes.

Canvey had taken the game to their Conference opponents and David Gregory and Paul Cobb both went close before Neil Gregory nodded home Adam Miller's free-kick on 16 minutes.

But Che Stadhart ruined Gulls' hopes of running away with the game by stroking home the penalty equaliser.

Cobb hit the post on 34 minutes, but Canvey were pegged back and the half ended 1-1.

There were numerous changes to both sides midway through the game and Gravesend took the lead on 62 minutes through Mark Bentley.

Canvey responded by sending on last season's top scorer Lee Boylan and the decision reaped immediate dividends within two minutes when Jason Dozzell headed into his path to fire home in the 66th minute.

Boylan also hit the post late in the game, but it was Gravesend who ended up getting on top as tricky newcomer Tostao Kwashi, signed from the minor leagues, caused havoc down the right.

Canvey's defence had been unsettled by the numerous changes and Liam Hatch took advantage with a brace in the 69th and 74th minutes.

Paul Booth added a fifth on 78 minutes, but Canvey were by no means finished and were unlucky not to win a penalty when former Spurs and Ipswich star Dozzell was hacked down in the box.

Published Monday August 12, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo