DANNY Heale enjoyed his first win as Canvey manager, despite getting sent from the touchline late on.

A first club goal for Spencer Bellotti gave the Gulls a 1-0 victory at Bury Town yesterday as he pounced on a defensive error early in the first half.

It came after goalkeeper Marcus Garnham scuffed his attempted clearance from Seb Dunbar’s back pass to the edge of the box, and Bellotti beat his marker to the loose ball before firing a first-time shot into the unguarded net.

Canvey defended their lead resolutely after the interval with keeper Josh Vickers making a number of important saves.

And their job was made easier when Adam Bailey-Dennis was sent off for pulling back Jay Curran as he raced in on goal from Ashley Dumas’ through ball.

Heale was sent off himself after an exchange of views with the officials in the aftermath of the incident.

But it will not have spoiled his day too much with his side making it four points from their last two games after they started the season with three defeats.

There was an action-packed derby at New Lodge where Billericay Town and Hornchurch shared the spoils as both sides finished with 10 men.

Ricky Sappleton gave Town the lead with a neat turn and finish but then he was sent off late in the first half after collecting a second booking for his part in a melee in the box following a long throw.

Despite going a man down, Billericay doubled their lead after the break when Javlon Campbell capitalised on some slack head tennis between the Urchins’ defenders to apply a nice finish.

But the visitors pulled one back soon after when George Purcell’s shot from the edge of the box found the net via a slight deflection, and soon after the same man took advantage of a mistake in the home defence to hit a first-time shot in for the equaliser.

Hornchurch then hit the bar, but also had Tamberson Eyong sent off late on for a high boot on Richard Halle.

And two great finishes from Luke Wanadio gave East Thurrock a 2-1 win at Carshalton Athletic.

Tommy Bradford had given the hosts the lead but Wanadio came off the bench at half-time and drew his side level before firing home the winner 10 minutes from time.