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Gulls will be wondering how they lost this Second Round qualifier after dominating for long periods but a combination of bad luck and outstanding goalkeeping from Stortford’s loan keeper Jordan Archer who was making his debut after signing from Tottenham Hotspur during the week, kept them out.

Stortford had to play the final 30 minutes with ten men after having a player sent off but clung on to victory despite some fierce Canvey pressure.

After a poor performance against Aveley during midweek, Gulls were determined to bounce back and they opened the game well, attacking down both flanks and creating some good chances.

After 9 minutes, Alex Rhodes burst down the left and fired in a low cross that Robbie King completely mis-cued in front of goal.

Four minutes later, the referee played an excellent advantage after a foul on a Canvey player and Matt Game picked up the loose ball and powered in a shot that took a deflection and crashed off of the crossbar and away.

Stortford had failed to get into the game so far with Dwight Gayle and Michael Bakare well shackled by Steve Sheehan and Steve Ward.

They suffered an injury blow with Junior Dadson being forced off with an injury after only 20 minutes. He was replaced by Stefan Gaisie.

Seconds later King came close when he got on the end of a free kick into the penalty area from the left but Archer did brilliantly to turn his point blank header away from danger.

James Russell was finally tested on the 30 minute mark when Bakare dribbled into the area and the ball popped loose to Gaisie who struck a low shot towards goal that Russell did well to scramble around the post.

An entertaining free flowing first half continued with Ashley Dumas flashing a shot wide moments later after the left back did well to get forward and support a Gulls’ attack.

The best chance of the half fell to Rhodes four minutes before the interval. The winger’s pace took him clear of the defence but Archer did just enough to stall him and was able to get a block in as Rhodes hesitated before shooting.

Canvey continued to dominate the early part of the second half and Leon Gordon did well to get on the end of a left wing cross but his flicked header floated off target.

The sucker punch goal came on 55 minutes and was something of a gift for Stortford.

A mix up between Ward and Russell from a long punt forward allowed Gayle to nip in between the two players and although Russell managed to block Gayle’s effort the rebound fell to Bakare who fired a low shot past the stranded keeper from the edge of the penalty area.

Canvey to their credit responded well and didn’t let their heads go down after this setback.
Rhodes was unlucky to see a drilled shot deflected around the post by Archer on 56 minutes and then on 62 minutes, Gulls were given a massive advantage when Gaisie was sent off for violent conduct after a tussle with Danny Heale.

Canvey brought on Antonio Gonnella, Jason Hallett and Jay Curran as they tried to find an equaliser.

Gonnella made an impact down the right on 74 minutes playing in a tantalising cross that deflected off the head of Stortford substitute Jack Jeffries but Archer made a brilliant one handed save turning the ball over the crossbar to spare his team-mate’s blushes.

Hallett then used his strength to hold off two defenders but fired over from the edge of the penalty area.

As Canvey committed men forward they left gaps at the back and Gayle may have sealed the game on 80 minutes when Bakare put him through but Russell stood up well to block the striker’s shot.

Despite their pressure the Stortford backline held firm and protected their keeper well. Game saw a header saved comfortably and then in injury time, Gonnella tried an audacious chip from the right hand side of the penalty area but the ball dropped inches over the crossbar.

Five minutes of stoppage time was played but Gulls couldn’t break through and grab a deserved replay.

They now look to overcome this disappointment and concentrate on league action with a tough match at league leaders Lowestoft on Tuesday night.