Southend United 1 Canvey Island 1

Indeed, it was with the first chance of the match that Southend took the lead with only 89 seconds on the clock. Skipper Kevin Maher lofted a ball into the path of Mark Gower who raced into space before hitting a blistering low shot past goalkeeper Danny potter and into the bottom right hand corner of the North Bank net from 20 yards.

In just the seventh minute however Canvey hauled themselves back onto level terms. Jeff Minton, a former trialist at Roots Hall, swung a corner into the six yard box where defender Ben Chenery bravely powered a header past the helpless Darryl Flahavan.

The visitors, who are renowned for the fast, attacking fotball in their own League, then began to take the game to their hosts somewhat, and were bouyed by a fantastic stop by Potter who pushed Jay Smith's fierce drive wide of the post after a neat lay-off by Tes Bramble.

Flahavan did well to push out Neil Gregory's header from a Ty Gooden corner before Lee Boylan - also once on trial with United - hit the post from an impossible angle on the goalline. In between Bramble had volleyed a free kick from Gower wide of Potter's upright.

Neil Jenkins nodded a Gower corner into the arms of Potter before Boylan shot wildly off target after a lengthy run.

Gooden curled a free kick at Flahavan before the final action of the first period saw Minton head over the bar following a neat centre by Chris Duffy.

Four minutes after the re-start Flahavan had to be at his best to push a Duffy shot around the post before the home side began to dominate proceedings. Gower sent a brilliant low volley inches wide of the far post after Jay Smith had crossed following a Jim Corbett run. Another right flank sprint by Corbett saw an eventual cross cut back by Gower to Smith who's shot deflected wide of the post. Unfortunately incompetant referee Trevor Kettle failed to award a corner kick.

Leon Cort then headed a Maher corner off target before a shot by Maher saw helped over the bar by Bramble.

Then, with play switching to the other end a long run by Duffy ended with a decent shot inches over the top.

As the match came towards its climax Southend had by far the best opportunities to win the tie. Gower curled an effort just wide and the same player then shot over the bar from 25 yards.

A Gower corner then saw Cort's header flicked on by substitute Michael Husbands, who had arrived for the injured Maher, to Corbett who poked the ball into the arms of Potter.

The final chance of the afternoon then fell to Cort, who nodded a Gower free kick wide of the upright. It was close for United, but the Division Three side will now face a tricky looking replay at Canvey's Park Lane ground on Wednesday, 19th November.