Gulls boss Jeff King's plea that his troops should quickly put the club's fabulous FA Cup run out of their minds to relaunch their Ryman League Premier Division title bid was answered in tremendous fashion.

The Islanders' produced one of those late rallies that they're becoming famous for to grab three points from an in-form St Albans side who had lost just once in the previous 13 games.

Indeed, until Saturday's affair at Park Lane, the Hertfordshire outfit had won eight times on the trot on opposition territory in all competitions since ex-Billericay boss John Kendall took over at the helm in the autumn.

Canvey generally dominated the first-half exchanges, but rarely looked like penetrating a solid visiting rearguard.

However, all that changed on the hour when star striker Wayne Vaughan, chasing a ball down the middle in opposition to two defenders, somehow got the better of them and shot home the opening goal - his 15th of the season.

For a spell Gulls threatened to take control and, after Alex Inglethorpe's effort had been pushed against an upright by visiting goalkeeper Richard Hurst, Craig Davidson shot home the rebound.

However, the joy among home fans in the 805 crowd was soon quashed as referee Andy Legg blew for offside.

To their credit, St Albans refused to throw in the towel and, after having strong appeals for a penalty turned down when Ryan Moran appeared to be pushed in the box, levelled after 76 minutes with a neat header from former Canvey man Gary Ansell.

For a while it looked as through the visitors might go on to capture all three points, but this marvellous Canvey side never know the meaning of being beaten.

Despite defending outstandingly well, St Albans throughout gave away too many free-kicks in dangerous positions. This was to cost them dear after 83 minutes when Correy Campbell fouled home attack leader Neil Gregory, who took something of a battering throughout.

Skipper Steve Tilson sent in a wickedly curling set-piece with his left foot from wide on the right - and the head of diving Micky Bennett completed the job.

With just two minutes to go Tilson finished proceedings in style when, after substitute Sammy Cooper had been brought down in the box by Hurst, he coolly stepped up to ram home the penalty.

This was another highly-efficient performance from King's men, who increasingly look like being involved in a three-way battle for title honours with Aldershot and Farnborough.

The win, in which I made Mark Stimson man-of-the-match for a skilful and hard-working midfield display, sets Gulls up nicely for next Saturday's Christmas derby at Billericay Town.

Before that they make another attempt to stage their Essex Senior Cup third round match with Barkingside at Park Lane tomorrow.

Said King: "To be fair I thought St Albans were enjoying their best spell of the game just before we went 2-1 up, but overall we were better than them.

"We showed great character to come back with a performance like that after all the excitement of our Cup run, but we know how important it is to keep on winning with Aldershot and Farnborough both continuing to produce the goods."

(Right) On the mark - top Gulls striker Wayne Vaughan captured his 15th goal of the season

(Left) Take that - new Canvey man Alex Inglethorpe in high-kicking action as he challenges St Albans goalkeeper Richard Hurst.

Pictures: LUAN MARSHALL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.