Canvey scraped through this battle at lowly Hendon to maintain their eight point advantage at the top of the Ryman Premier.

The Gulls predictably dominated the early proceedings with thought they had scored after only three minutes but Neil Gregory was adjudged to have strayed into an offside position.

On 23 minutes the breakthrough did arrive though, as keeper David Hook spilled the ball at the feet of Mick Bodley, presenting the midfielder with a simple tap-in.

Hook then went on to deny Gregory and Neil Boylan as the half came to a close with little to inspire the home faithful.

The second half proved much a different story though, with Ricci Crace superbly denied by Ashley Harrison on 56 minutes, and again shortly after as Hendon stepped up a gear.

A late chance fell to Eugene Ofori but the substitute couldn't beat Harrison, as the Islanders held on for their 25th league win of the campaign.

Published Sunday, March 3, 2002