Canvey boss John Batch admitted his side had a “bad day at the office” as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at play-off rivals Hendon.

The home side – who gave a debut to former Chelsea and Leicester defender Frank Sinclair – netted the only goal of a game not blessed with a host of chances three minutes into the second half thanks to substitute Isaiah Rankin.

Batch said: “I’m disappointed. It was not the best of games. I don’t think either team played well and they scored with probably the only real chance of the game.

“But we will bounce back. We realise we have got to step it up again and improve from this performance.

“We’ve had a bad day at the office, but we know the quality is here to bounce back and that’s what we aim to do.”

Hendon teenager Mauro Vilhete was the one real bright spark in an otherwise underwhelming game.

Most of the highlights of the first half came from him escaping the Canvey backline, but his final ball was lacking.

Rankin, who was introduced at half time, scored within three minutes of his arrival, after an assist from Elliott Godfrey.

Canvey struggled to create anything of note in the second half, as the hosts held on with ease.