Kingstonian zoomed out of the drop zone with their first ever victory at high-flyers Canvey Island.

The Ks management team of Alan Dowson, Mark Hams and Martin Tyler got their tactics absolutely spot-on by drafting in Simon Huckle's aerial capabilities and he inflicted real and sustained damage aided by man of the match Matt Gray who scored his first goal for his club and influenced play all afternoon.

John Fletcher, who has been playing in the USA, comfortably slotted in at centre back enjoying a confident debut with Francis Duku unavailable for selection.

The Ks had the best of the first half and led at half-time through Gray and Huckle had also rattled the Canvey woodwork.

But after the break the Gulls came back strongly, equalizing early on and really setting about the Ks backline who were fortunately joined by an inspired second half substitution of Des Boateng on for the injured Mo Harkin who had pulled a hamstring.

The Ks responded to the intense pressure in the best possible fashion with a winning goal and it was no surprise that it was made by the inexhaustible Gray and finished off by Huckle and guess what? it was a header.

The Ks return home to Kingsmeadow tonight (Monday September 21st, 7.45pm k.o.) for further league action against Horsham. The Ks are still seeking their first home league win of the season.

On just three minutes the Gulls striker and dangerman James Rowe took off down the left, he went around the K's backline, but his low cross was smothered by Luke Garrard on the near post.

Dean Lodge replied with an equally pacy run down the right but his far post cross went begging.

A corner from Gulls winger Greg Cohen was only half-cleared to midfielder Jon Edwards but he belted the ball seawards. On 11 minutes the K's went close, striker Bobby Traynor's short through ball deep into the home box saw keeper James Russell rush out bravely to deny Huckle, with Canvey skipper and centre back Richard Halle on hand to clear.

Five minutes later a Gray short corner training ground move found an unmarked Traynor on the edge of the home box and he let loose a powerful on-target drive that Russell did well to push away.

The Gulls responded strongly when Edwards set up Rowe but his strong low effort was blocked by an alert Garrard.

On 19 minutes Lodge again took off down the right, his cross was flicked on by striker Carl Wilson-Denis for Huckle close but for once he was closely marked.

Seven minutes later the K's received their just reward when a long ball from an alert Max Hustwick found Huckle out on the left in acres of space.

His perfectly flighted cross caused all sorts of panic in the Gulls goalmouth before MATT GRAY took control, darted in and thumped the ball low past a full-stretch but stranded Russell.

Eight minutes later a Gray free-kick picked out Huckle close in and his header unluckily smacked against the bar.

Another Gray free-kick saw defender Ben Patten deny a lurking Huckle. Lee Hall sent in a high cross from the left which was well held by Russell with Wilson-Denis in attendance. Then another high Gray ball was picked out of the air by a confident Russell.

The Gulls came out for the second half in a far more determined state of mind. Rowe picked out Cohen deep in the K's box before Boateng made the first of a series of vital interceptions.

Then Gabriel Fanibuyan fired over from the edge of the K's box and he orchestrated a series of marauding runs. On 50 minutes the islanders were back in the game when a backline-splitting through ball from defender Andrew West down the left set ALAN ROWE free in the away box and and he neatly fired home into the far corner past the outcoming Garrard.

Boateng responded with a cheeky backheel out on the right to Gray whose shot was pushed away by Russell in a crowded box.

Just before the hour Lodge intercepted a nervous backpass from Halle to Russell, he successfully lobbed the Gulls keeper but just pulled it wide of the goal.

Then a one-on-one saw Wilson-Denis draw Russell out of position but his final drive was unluckily deflected for a corner.

Gulls sub Leon Gordon proceeded to send in a series of corners and set pieces that were all squandered. On 73 minutes a corner from the left found Halle close in but he could only head wide of the far post.

Four minutes later against the run of play the Ks bagged all the points.

A long, high Gray free-kick fell to an unmarked SIMON HUCKLE close in and his looping header sweetly dropped into the far corner.

The Gulls pushed forward for a point. A Gordon corner from the right found Halle again but this time he headed over. West was booked for upending Boateng on the edge of the home box but Gray's free-kick went wide through a forest of legs.

A Gordon cross from the right was headed over by fellow sub Rob King. The home side then had their best opportunity when sub Jason Hallet intercepted a pass deep in the K's box between centre back Harrison and sub Rob Sheridan, but Garrard was well placed to mop up.

In additional time a Rowe run saw him go around the back of the Ks backline but his drive was deflected for a corner.

Then in the last few seconds the Gulls was caught pushing up when Lodge set Boateng completely free on the halfway line. Deep in the Gulls box as Boateng tried to circle the keeper a perfectly-timed extended Russell arm grabbed the ball and stopped a certain goal.

Ks. 1. Luke Garrard 2. Matt Gray 3. Lee Hall 4. Max Hustwick 5. John Fletcher 6. Simon Huckle 7. Mo Harkin (Des Boateng, 46mins) 8. Karl Beckford (sub Rob Sheridan, 78mins) 9. Bobby Traynor 10.

Carl Wilson-Denis (sub Christian Jolley, 65mins) 11. Dean Lodge.

Subs:12. Rob Sheridan 13. Ashlee Jones (G/k - not used) 14. Lewis Cook (not used) 15. Christian Jolley 16. Des Boateng.