CANVEY Island won an exciting FA Trophy tie against Cray Wanderers 2-0 as Mark Bentley earned his first win since taking over as manager.

The home team knew they were in for a tough ask against the Isthmian South East leaders and it was a well-contested opening.

Both defences were showing signs of nerves in the first 10 minutes, with both goalkeepers lucky that errors weren’t exploited – Josh Hutchinson sending an effort wide for the Gulls.

Marksman Martin Tuohy was then halted by a smart stop from away stopper Nick Blue.

Harry Palmer then needed to be at his best to keep out Junior Dadson as the keepers continued to be tested.

Cray were looking dangerous from set-pieces and Jay Leader’s far post header needed to be dealt with by Tuohy in defence.

The Gulls were playing some nice football and almost opened the scoring through Hutchinson only for the attacker's header to be cleared off the line.

Despite the lack of goals both teams continued to create with Palmer again called into action to prevent Cray’s Jerome Frederico tapping home at the far post.

The away side then hit the crossbar directly from a corner before a breakthrough came at last.

With seven minutes remaining, Tuohy and Agyakwa linked up excellently and Frankie Merrifield was left with a simple tap in from close range.

The same man added a second in injury-time following a mistake in defence to send Canvey through.

Great Wakering Rovers are out after they fell to a 1-0 defeat against East Grinstead Town.

East Grinstead, of the Isthmian South East, were something of an unknown quantity before kick-off but they quickly made an impression.

Inside 10 minutes a fine free-kick from Leo Mazzone forced Tim Brown into a smart stop but George Landais was on hand to tap home from close range.

Wakering missed a golden chance to level as both teams continued to look threatening in forward areas.

A number of free-kicks were awarded in promising positions, with Wakering not able to make the most of several encouraging positions.

AN outrageous goal from Tom Richardson sent Aveley through in the FA Trophy at the expense of Basildon United.

The Millers striker sent a backheel into the goal from 12 yards inside the final 15 minutes to win the preliminary round tie and condemn the Bees to a second loss in succession.

And Basildon made the worst possible start. Inside the first minute Alex Akrofi linked up well with Richardson and the latter rolled the ball into the net.

The home team were well in control before Basildon levelled against the run of play. A mistake in defence was capitalised upon and Eljay Worrell continued his excellent goalscoring start to the season with a close-range finish.

Akrofi was halted by Bees goalkeeper Connor Wheatley shortly before half-time with the scores level at the interval.

Aveley again pushed the tempo at the start of the second half, as first Richardson slammed the ball against the crossbar before Andy Freeman’s follow-up was superbly tipped over by Wheatley.

The away custodian prevented George Doyle and again Richardson before the winning goal. With his back to goal Richardson was able to send a powerful flick beyond Wheatley and into the corner.

Aveley had chances to extend their lead but it remained 2-1 at the final whistle.