CANVEY Island scored two goals in the final two minutes as Danny Heale’s side came from behind to beat Waltham Abbey 2-1.

Frankie Merrifield levelled for the Gulls after Christian Assombalonga had put the hosts in front.

And Charlie Cole, who had joined Canvey on loan less than 24 hours earlier from Isthmian Premier League side Billericay Town, hit the winner in the dying moments.

Cole came close to giving the away side the lead early on as he sent a George Sykes pass just a yard wide of the far post.

Waltham Abbey goalkeeper Lewis Lockyer denied Jerrome Sobers from close range as Canvey pushed for an early opener.

Cole then linked up well with Sykes on 16 minutes before rounding the goalkeeper.

But Spencer Harrison was on hand to keep the shot out inside the six yard box.

Sykes thought he had given the Gulls a first half lead when he found the back of the net with a header, but the referee had already penalised the striker for a push on a defender.

Henry Newcombe denied Assombalonga on the stroke of half-time after the former Billericay Town frontman raced through on goal.

On 65 minutes, Assombalonga hit a superb shot from 30 yards which was destined for the top corner before Newcombe expertly tipped the ball away.

But the striker found the back of the net two minutes later when he found the bottom corner after Newcombe had denied Aron Gordon.

Sykes passed up the opportunity to get his name on the scoresheet as he saw his 70th minute penalty saved by Lockyer after the referee adjudged a defender to have handled a Cole header.

But the Gulls levelled on 89 minutes as Merrifield reacted quickest to George Craddock’s powerful 20 yard effort rattling the underside of the crossbar.

And Cole hit a debut winner in injury time after good work from substitute Ryan Charles.

Canvey Island: Newcombe, Pitty, Dumas, Craddock, Sheehan, Sobres (Charles 74’), Merrifield, Collins, Sykes, Cole (Levett 90’), Nesbitt