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Gulls were made to pay for some lacklustre defending but nearly produced a magnificent comeback when at 3-0 down they pulled it back to 3-2 with 15 minutes remaining.

The Beavers are currently struggling in Conference South but got off to the perfect start when they opened the scoring after 3 minutes.

The impressive Nathan Collier surged down the right and cut the ball back to Dave Tarpey who guided the ball past James Russell from close range.

Canvey struggled to get a foothold in the game and Hampton’s pace down the flanks was causing them problems on numerous occasions.

Russell made a fine two handed save to push away a curling shot from just outside the penalty area and then Tarpey really should have scored on 25 minutes but steered Collier’s pull back from the right wide at the near post.

Canvey gradually improved as the half wore on with Kevin Dobinson exerting his influence in midfield. They won a number of corners but these were defended well by the Hampton rearguard and keeper Craig Ross was not greatly tested.

Canvey’s best chance fell to Jason Hallett on 41 minutes when he latched on to Dobinson’s clever pass but he sliced his volley wide of the post from inside the penalty area.

Gulls hoped for a better second half but any optimism was cut short within 3 minutes of the half starting when Collier swept home Tarpey’s right wing cross to increase the score-line.

To their credit, Gulls kept battling and Danny Heale could have reduced the arrears on 58 minutes when good work in the penalty area by Hallett set him up for a scoring opportunity but he dragged his volley wide.

It seemed to be game over on 64 minutes when Hampton made it 3-0. Charlie Moone released Joel Ledgister down the left and he was able to cross for Tarpey to slot home from a few yards out.

Hampton seemed set for a comfortable victory but the game seemed to change with the introduction of Kyle Asante and Leon Gordon for Hallett and Heale.

This gave Canvey an injection of pace, fresh legs and more potency to their attack.

On 74 minutes, Canvey pulled one back when the Hampton defence switched off at Dobinson’s left wing corner and allowed Robbie King to steal in unmarked and flick the ball home at the near post.

Almost straight away, Canvey were right back in the game with a second goal. Leon Gordon did well down the right and his cross was volleyed home by Alex Rhodes at the far post.

Hampton now had to endure a few nervy moments but recovered their composure and other than a few crosses into the penalty area, Ross wasn’t seriously threatened.

Canvey pushed forward in search of an equaliser but as a result left themselves open to a quick counter attack. In the final minute of stoppage time, a Canvey attack broke down and an intelligent pass from Collier played Ledgister through on goal.

Ledgister drew Russell from his goal and unselfishly passed to Tarpey who had a simple tap in to complete his hat-trick and a 4-2 victory for The Beavers.

A disappointing exit for the Gulls who only really looked like taking something from the game in the last 15 minutes. They now can focus their attentions on getting their league season back on track.