CANVEY Island maintained their impressive start to pre-season by recording a 1-0 win over Bowers & Pitsea.

The Gulls went into the latest friendly following victories over Hornchurch and Benfleet.

And a fine individual goal from Josh Hutchinson allowed Canvey to come out on top at Park Lane.

The first meaningful opportunity of the contest fell to Bowers’ Lewis Manor, with the striker’s volley stopped by Lamar Johnson after being picked out by James Thomas’ looping cross.

Canvey responded a minute later as Sammy Knott’s inswinging corner found an unmarked James White, but the skipper’s downward header was held by Callum Chafer.

Bowers were handed a golden opportunity to go ahead on the stroke of half-time as referee Gary Jerden pointed to the spot after Ade Osifuwa was adjudged to have pushed Manor to the ground.

However, Mark Bentley’s Gulls were let off the hook as Brad Warner’s attempt from 12 yards went over the crossbar.

George Purcell, who made a goalscoring start to life at Canvey last weekend, came close to getting on the scoresheet once again just after the restart. The frontman’s ferocious drive went inches wide of the target with Chafer rooted to the spot.

The deadlock was broken on 56 minutes as Hutchinson scored an impressive individual goal.

The Canvey winger charged forward, beating numerous Bowers players before finding the far corner of the net.

Bowers hit back with Ryan Sammons trying his luck from range, but the full-back’s drive went just wide of the target.

Luke Hirst then saw a goalbound effort blocked by a Gulls defender as Bowers went in search of a leveller.

David Manu forced Chafer into a save after battling past Bowers defenders Tom Troubridge and Lewis Clark.

But one goal proved to be enough for the home side.