RICKY Sappleton came off the bench and inspired Billericay to a comeback win at derby rivals Canvey tonight.

Town trailed to a disputed Jay Curran penalty at the break but ex-pro Sappleton came off the bench at half-time and produced two very cool finishes to give Town all three Ryman Premier points.

It was a very open start with Junior Luke and Sean Bonnett-Johnson wasting good chances for Billericay, and Jay Curran and Simon Thomas squandering equally presentable opportunities for Canvey, all within the first 30 minutes.

The opener arrived seven minutes before the break when the marauding Sheldon Sellears went down under minimal contact from right-back George Beaven in the box.

It was a fortunate award but - as he did with Canvey's opener in the FA Cup win over Aveley on Saturday - Curran took full advantage by side-footing the resulting spot-kick inside the post.

It took the versatile attacker's tally to four converted penalties in two games and his total goals scored for the club to 85 in 242 starts.

Billericay brought on massive striker Ricky Sappleton in place of Evans Kouassi at the break, and he made an immediate impact.

But for all his obvious strength it was his finesse which got Town level as he curled the ball delicately around players in a crowded penalty box and in off the post after it had landed at his feet from keeper Josh Vickers' initial block.

Sappleton was lucky to escape with just a yellow seconds later for an ugly lunge at Ellis Sands, but his introduction had undoubtedly sparked Billericay into life.

So it came as no surprise when he gave Town a 76th minute winner with a cool side-foot past Vickers after being slipped in by fellow sub James Robinson.

Canvey (4-4-2): Vickers; Sands (Chatting 83), Bartley, Alaile, Boucutt (Bellotti 79); Sellears, Jones, Game, Dumas; Thomas, Curran.

Billericay (4-5-1): Lumley; Imudia, Halle, Rodgers, Beaven; Kouassi (Sappleton 46), Lette-Jallow, Dunne, Bonnett-Johnson, Luke; Benjamin (Robinson 68).

MoM: Ricky Sappleton (Billericay Town).