Canvey Island 0 Kingstonian 2

A straight red card late on for midfielder Jean Sylvain-Dossou couldn't take the gloss of a victory achieved without the mercurial Dean Lodge and suspended defender Tom Bird.

A superb performance from Ks' defenders leaves them in high spirits ahead of tomorrow's home clash with local rivals and league leaders Sutton United at Kingsmeadow (7.45pm).

A slow start to the game picked up after nine minutes when Matt Gray got up to head Matt Game's corner away from under his own bar.

Two minutes later, Ks helped themselves to a vital early goal which came straight off the training ground.

Gray's free kick found centre-back MAX HUSTWICK darting in on the near post to head past a stranded Gulls keeper James Russell for his first goal of the season.

A corner from ex-Brentford man Alex Rhodes was blocked and cleared by Gray who was never far from the action all afternoon.

After 16 minutes, Gulls striker Danny Heale fired in a free kick that was pushed away at full stretch by Ks keeper Rob Tolfrey.

Ks replied with a cross from the right from the busy Gray, which was missed by all and sundry, allowing Russell to smother.

Then, Lee Hall's chip set striker Carl Wilson-Denis free in the Gulls box.

Although he successfully lobbed the outcoming Russell, the ball landed on the roof of the Gulls net.

After 33 minutes, a cross from attacking defender Ashley Dumas was headed wide by winger Jay Curran.

Then Rhodes slammed a 20 yard free-kick into the Ks defensive wall and sliced the follow-up wide.

Dumas took off down the left but his half-volley went wide of the near post.

The Gulls almost drew level on just four minutes into the new half but Curran's well-struck effort was cleared by a combination of Adam Thompson and Tolfrey on the Ks goalline.

Rhodes swept a cross in from the right flank which was well held by Tolfrey.

After 52 minutes, Ks grabbed a vital second goal.

Along high clearance from Tolfrey set BOBBY TRAYNOR free down the left. As Gulls defenders hesitated and fell back, the Ks striker cut in and carefully curled the ball low around a full-stretch Russell into the far corner.

A Wilson-Denis chip was then headed back by Gulls skipper Chris Moore on the edge of his box safely to his keeper.

Traynor took off again down the left but this time he found Hall on the edge of the Canvey box but his rising drive was held by Russell at a second attempt.

The Gulls then enjoyed a good period of pressure. A Rhodes corner from the right was headed out on the far post by Tobi Jinadu.

Game's corner from the left was headed wide by the unflappable Ks skipper Thompson.

After 72 minutes, Rhodes floated in a useful cross from the left which again was comfortably held by Tolfrey.

With 15 minutes to go, a rumpus involving most of the outfield players erupted on the edge of the Ks box.

Referee Mr Crysell soon had it under control presenting Dossou with a red card and Curran was booked.

Gulls sub Leon Gordon took off down the left at some pace but he sliced his drive wide of the near post.

Heale set Rhodes free down the left, Dean Hamlin slipped on the damp surface, allowing a fierce rising drive which a perfectly-placed Tolfrey pushed out.

With a minute remaining a well-struck long-range effort from Heale was tipped over by Tolfrey.

There was still time for Ks sub Gomez Dali to take off on a long mazy run from the halfway line deep into the Gulls box but Steve Ward trackbacked and made an excellent blocking tackle conceding a corner.

One last cross from Game was held again with ease by the imperious Tolfrey stationed on his line.

Ks: 1. Rob Tolfrey 2. Dean Hamlin 3. Bashiru Alimi 4. Adam Thompson (capt) 5. Max Hustwick 6. Tobi Jinadu (sub Sam Clayton, 83mins) 7. Matt Gray 8. Jean Sylvain-Dossou 9. Bobby Traynor (David Hutton, 83mins) 10. Carl Wilson-Denis (sub Gomez Dali, 59mins) 11. Lee Hall.

Subs: 12. Gomez Dali 14. Sam Clayton 15. David Hutton 16. Tom Duffy (not used) 17. Nic Taylor (G/k - not used).

K's Red Cards: Dossou.

K's Yellow Cards: Gray, Hamlin.

Attendance: 356.