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Gulls exited the Alan Boon League Cup after a defeat by the same score-line at the hands of their Suffolk opponents on Tuesday night but gained revenge with an impressive performance that could have been far more convincing but for some better finishing.

Lowestoft started brightly and could have gone in front on 10 minutes. Scott Mitchell’s pass found Lubo Guentchev in space in the penalty area and his placed shot was just the right height for James Russell who dived to his right to push the ball away from goal. From the resulting corner, Greg Crane was inches too high with a powerful header.

On the counter attack, Canvey looked lively though and with Jason Hallett and Bradley Woods Garness showing a good understanding up front, the Trawlerboys’ defence was kept busy.

Gulls went in front on 12 minutes. Woods Garness picked up the ball on the left hand corner of the penalty area. He attempted a shot that caught in the wind but fell perfectly for Alex Rhodes at the far post who drilled a half volley beyond Andy Reynolds and into the net.

Lowestoft responded well and Sam Gaughan sent a towering header over the bar from Robert Eagle’s left wing corner 2 minutes later.

The play was switching from end to end at a frenetic pace and both sides were playing some attractive passing attacking football that entertained a crowd of 371 on a cold afternoon.

In midfield, Gulls’ new signing James Comley was making his debut and the former Crystal Palace youngster really impressed with his tough tackling, determination and excellent distribution.

Hallett had a good chance to increase Canvey’s lead on 24 minutes when a surging run took him past Reynolds but his effort on goal lacked power and Gaughan was able to run back and clear.

Lowestoft grabbed an equaliser on 35 minutes. Former Gull Stuart Ainsley picked out Guentchev with a cross from the left and the Bulgarian striker showed good technique to fire a first time volley beyond Russell and into the net.

The goal though didn’t unsettle Canvey and in fact they raised their game. Comley fired in a powerful low drive that Reynolds held well on 39 minutes and 3 minutes later, Gulls were back in front in spectacular fashion.

Robbie King’s lofted pass was controlled well by Hallett down the right and the striker chipped the ball back into the centre where Woods Garness was standing on the edge of the penalty area with his back to goal. The striker attempted what seemed an ambitious overhead kick but his technique was perfect and the ball looped over Reynolds and in off the underside of the crossbar to send the Canvey supporters into raptures.

Things got even better for Canvey when they increased their lead on the stroke of half time. Comley showed amazing tenacity to outmuscle a couple of Lowestoft defenders in a tremendous burst down the left. His cross was met by Jay Curran who poked the ball past Reynolds despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball.

Like Tuesday, Canvey had a two goal lead at half time but they were in no mood to squander this and although Lowestoft started the half in determined fashion, Canvey looked the more likely to increase their lead.

On 48 minutes, Hallett robbed Crane of possession to go through but he hesitated over his shot allowing the big defender to get back and dispossess him.

Comley showed his quality on 56 minutes when he showed great composure under pressure from a couple of Lowestoft players and picked out Curran with an exquisite through ball. Curran waited for the ball to bounce before firing in a fierce shot that Reynolds could only beat away. Hallett was able to hook the loose ball towards the unguarded net but former Norwich winger Adrian Forbes was back to hack the ball off of the line.

An exciting game continued with King firing in a dipping 30 yard shot that crashed off the top of the crossbar and away.

Canvey’s failure to kill off the game was making them slightly edgy and Lowestoft gained a grip on possession with them eventually pulling a goal back on 67 minutes.

Forbes overlapped down the right and sent in a superb cross that Chris Henderson headed home powerfully beyond Reynolds.

Canvey made a substitution with new signing Dean Mason replacing Rhodes and the change paid dividends as the former AFC Wimbledon winger’s pace caused nightmares for the Lowestoft defence.

As they pushed forward, they left gaps at the back and Mason and Woods Garness were able to exploit these on several occasions.

Hallett headed off target from King’s right wing corner on 71 minutes and then Mason really should have put the game to bed on 80 minutes when he showed tremendous acceleration to close down a Lowestoft player in possession as he dallied on the ball and then race through on goal. Unfortunately his finish wasn’t quite there as he poked his effort wide of the far post with just Reynolds to beat.

Woods Garness then prolonged the agony for the Canvey fans even more when great work by Hallett sent him clear but the forward was slack in his finishing blasting the shot over when it seemed easier to score.

These misses looked like they would prove costly as Lowestoft pushed forward in a desperate search for an equaliser. Canvey stayed firm at the back and Steve Ward, John Easterford, Michael Alaile and Ashley Dumas all contributed to a good defensive display.

There was a scare deep into injury time when Henderson’s header hit Alaile and crashed off the crossbar and away with Russell rooted to the spot.

Curran was able to run down the clock with an exceptional run that saw him zig-zag between two Lowestoft defenders as he surged into the box from the right but Hallett was unable to connect properly with his pass at the near post.

An enthralling game came to an end seconds later and both teams must take credit for producing a game that was a great advert for the Ryman League.

Canvey now face another promotion chasing side when they travel to Lewes next Saturday.