CANVEY Island had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Carshalton Athletic, despite enjoying the better of the game.

Canvey went ahead when Simon Thomas fired home a penalty five minutes in to the second half.

But Carshalton bagged a point when substitute Steve Butterworth netted 15 minutes from the end.

Canvey dominated the game in the first half but only force Robins goalkeeper Dean Snedker in to his first real save in the 26th minute when his full length dive stopped Sheldon Sellears opening the scoring.

Carshalton’s best chance fell to Pelayo Pico Gomez but Canvey keeper Josh Vickers tipped his flicked header over the bar.

In reply, Sellears then saw his well struck volley bounce back off the far post on the stroke of half-time.

The Gulls eventually took the lead in the 50th minute when Harold Odametey brought down Seallears inside the area and Thomas sent Snedker the wrong way with a powerfully placed penalty.

However, two substitutions then gave Carshalton fresh impetus and Butterworth eventually equalised for the hosts when he controlled the ball before dinking it past the on-rushing Vickers.

But Canvey, who are now 14th in the table, still almost won it right at the death when Rio-Bryan Edwards’ injury time header was cleared off the goal-line by Paris Hamilton-Downes.

Canvey are back in action tomorrow night as they host Maidstone.