CANVEY Island secured a valuable 2-1 win over promotion rivals Maldon & Tiptree.

First half goals from James Walker and Ryan Charles put Danny Heale’s side in the driving seat and, although Joe Ellul pulled a goal back for the Jammers, the Gulls were to notch an important three points.

The Gulls got off to the best possible start as they went ahead inside eight minutes.

Mitch Gilbey and George Sykes had already been denied an opener before Walker latched onto Sykes’ cutback and slotted home from close range.

Walker should have doubled the home side’s lead soon after, but the striker sent his low effort straight at Jammers goalkeeper Christopher Haigh despite beating the offside trap and being through on goal.

Gulls goalkeeper Henry Newcombe was called into action when Chris Millar and Emmanuel Katundu tried their luck from long range, but the shot-stopper was equal to both efforts.

But Canvey doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, as Charles fought off a Joe Claridge challenge before beating Ellul and finding the bottom corner of the net to round off a dominant first half display.

However, the away side reduced the deficit just three minutes after the break as Ellul beat Newcombe to a long punt into the Canvey penalty area and headed home.

Ryan Clampin then sent a free-kick just over the crossbar as Maldon & Tiptree looked to level terms.

But Canvey retook control of the Isthmian North encounter and Gilbey sent a low strike a whisker wide of the target after turning on the edge of the penalty box.

Charles used good strength to beat substitute Harvey Dailly to the ball, but Haigh denied the winger after he rounded Ellul.

Maldon & Tiptree substitute Keanu Williams should have done better when a free-kick landed at his feet, but his weak effort was held by Newcombe.

Newcombe also stopped Oluwole Akinsanya in stoppage time as the Jammers pushed for a late leveller.

However, the Gulls were not to concede an equaliser and Canvey leapfrogged Maldon & Tiptree in the Isthmian North play-off places.

Canvey Island: Newcombe, Pitty, Dumas, Craddock, Melaugh, Sheehan, Gilbey (Norman 88’), Collins, Sykes, Walker (Tuohy 80’), Charles (Fox 90’)