CANVEY Island manager Mark Bentley was left proud of his players despite their FA Cup adventure ending with a 3-0 defeat against Boreham Wood tonight.

The Gulls were the lowest ranked team to have made it through to the second round of the competition.

And Bentley felt Canvey, who line up in Isthmian North, should be pleased with their achievements. 

"I’m really proud and I think we did alright," said Bentley.

"We huffed and puffed but did we create enough? No.

"Were they physically better? Yes, but we knew they were going to be.

"These are a good National League side and they knocked Southend out in the last round so it certainly wasn’t going to be easy for us.

"I thought we were the better passing team but goals win games and we didn’t really create enough."

At the other end of the field, Canvey goalkeeper Bobby Mason caught the eye with a string of fine saves.

And Bentley was quick to praise the shot-stopper's performance. 

"Bob was disappointed for their first goal and he thought he could’ve done a little bit better but he’s been great all the way through this cup run," said Bentley.

"He’s been really important for us and him and Dan Humphreys were exceptional.

"We can be proud and we’ve done Essex proud but now it’s time to worry about our league programme."

But the cup run will continue to boost Canvey. 

"Financially it’s been massive for us when the clubhouse has been closed for a certain amount of time," said Bentley.

"We’ve had no money coming in and we’ve been relying on the FA Cup so this keeps us afloat for a year or two.

"It’s really important but I really want to get us up to that next level in the league now."