WITH three of their main rivals losing, Canvey Island stepped-up their bid for the play-offs with a narrow home success over relegation-threatened Essex rivals Wivenhoe.

Central defender Colin Wall was the hero for Gulls, playing in front of a 317 crowd.

On the stroke of half-time he took advantage of former Park Lane goalkeeper Richard McKinney only being able to parry an effort to head home what proved to be the only goal of the match.

Earlier McKinney, who kept goal for the Islanders during their Conference days, had been in great form with three outstanding saves.

It was a similar story in the second-half with Canvey piling on the pressure but being unable to penetrate a visiting rearguard which included ex Spurs man Stuart Nethercott.

With Edgware Town, Redbridge and Maldon all losing, John Batch's Islanders look poised to go one better than last season when they just missed out on a play-off position.

Gulls travel to Maldon next Saturday but Saturday's setback at Brentwood looks to have finished off the play-off hopes of their hosts on that day.

Maldon are down in ninth spot but even if fifth-placed Canvey are beaten there, victory in the final game at home to a mid-table Enfield Town side with nothing but pride to play for should be enough to see them in the promotion mix.

Canvey take a break from their hunt for league glory to host Ilford tomorrow in the semi-finals of the Essex Thames-side Trophy.

Holders Aveley are hosting Brimsdown Rovers in the quarter-finals tonight with the winners of that tie then meeting Essex Senior League Bowers and Pitsea for a final spot.