CANVEY manager Danny Heale says he is not worried by his side’s three-game losing start to the season because he feels with a little bit more luck they could have picked up a couple of wins.

An opening day 1-0 defeat at home to the early Ryman Premier leaders Kingstonian was followed by a 2-1 reverse at Cray Wanderers and then Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Lewes.

But Heale points out how a missed penalty cost them dearly against the K’s, they were unfortunate to have a goal disallowed at Cray, and they were harshly treated to have Rob Bartley sent off at Lewes following his angry clash with Jay Lovett, who escaped with a telling off.

“I’m not making excuses but I think it’s fair to say with a bit more of the rub of the green we could be sat here with six points now,” said Heale, whose side host league heavyweights Lowestoft Town tonight.

“The positive thing is it is not like we are losing games three and four nil, because then we would be worried.

“We are a new side and I can see progress being made with every game.

“We’ll change things a bit in terms of the formation for Lowestoft, but I don’t want to give too much away on that.

“What we really need to do is make better starts because so far we have been 1-0 down after 10 minutes in all our games. What I want is for us to get to half-time at 0-0 and still in with a chance of winning rather than just chasing.”

Despite his sending off, Bartley will be available for tonight’s game, but will start a three-match suspension at Bognor Regis on August 31.

But Bartley’s fellow central defender Rio Bryan-Edwards is still a week away from a return as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury suffered on the opening day against Kingstonian.

The Gulls will, however, be boosted by the return of defender Billy Hawes and midfielder James Hawes, after they got back from holiday.

Elsewhere in the division, Billericay Town are likely to be playing in front of a large crowd when they visit Maidstone United tonight.

Maidstone get huge gates at their Gallagher Stadium — their season opener attracted 2,138 — and Town — who got 261 through the turnstiles for their home win over Thamesmead on Saturday — will have to adapt to their artificial 3G pitch.

Another game likely to attract a good crowd – Billericay’s league game with Grays at the Millfield – has been switched to Sunday, September 1, and their league cup game at home to local rivals Hornchurch will be on Tuesday, October 8.

East Thurrock, who have drawn against Bury Town, beaten Billericay, and lost to Kingstonian on Saturday, are also in league action tonight at home to Lewes.

They could give a start to powerful striker Leon McKenzie who has signed following a short spell at Maldon & Tiptree.

Rocks have also added midfielder Lea Dawson to their squad, and the former Thamesmead player should be available for Saturday’s match against Grays.