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The match finished goalless after 90 minutes but Gulls won the following shoot out 6-5 with goalkeeper James Russell the hero, saving two penalties and scoring one himself.

Daggers dominated much of the game but a combination of great goalkeeping by Russell, excellent defending and some sloppy finishing was to cost them dear.

Canvey rode their luck at times but showed admirable spirit to cling on and battle through to the final.

The struggling League Two club started brightly and created numerous chances. Former Chelmsford striker Rob Edmans linked up well with Jake Reed and provided a chance for Reed after just 3 minutes but he fired his effort just wide.

Billy Bingham was impressing in midfield for Dagenham and he showed his class on 14 minutes with a chipped shot from the edge of the penalty area that Russell finger tipped over the crossbar.

It was real ‘backs to the wall’ stuff for Canvey and their cause was not helped by the loss of Steve Ward through injury on 19 minutes. Steve Sheehan replaced him with Michael Alaile switching from centre back to right back.

Danny J Green curled a shot over from 25 yards as Daggers continued to boss the match.

On the odd occasion, Canvey were able to threaten with the pace of Alex Rhodes, Dean Mason and Bradley Woods Garness causing the Daggers’ defence some minor irritations. Dave Hogan in the Dagenham goal was rarely tested though and as the half continued, Daggers became more wasteful in front of goal.

On 35 minutes, Dominic Green’s left wing cross was flicked on by Reid into the path of Edmans but somehow Russell was able to turn his close range effort over the crossbar.

Reed then headed wide from the edge of the six yard area after good play by Edmans down the left just before half time.

The second half continued in similar vein with Daggers continuing to dictate the game and create the better opportunities.

Bingham bundled his way through on 52 minutes but Russell stood up well to make a superb block.

Gradually Canvey came into the game more and the longer the score-line remained goal-less, the more their confidence grew.

Lead by Matt Game who was having a magnificent match in midfield they started to gain a foothold in the contest.

Gulls replaced Robbie King with James Comley and Woods Garness with Jason Hallett and created a couple of half chances.

Mason’s daisy-cutter was easily held by Hogan and then Rhodes saw a 30 yard free kick drift high and wide of the goal.

Danny Heale nearly got his head to a superb left wing cross by Ashley Dumas but the closest they came was on 86 minutes when Game drove in from the left and laid the ball back to Hallett but Oluwafemi Ilesanmi made a brave block to keep out his goal-bound shot.

Daggers’ substitute Adam Cunnington had a last gasp opportunity to win the game but after going past Sheehan and finding space he curled his shot over the crossbar.

The game went to penalties and Daggers took a 1-0 lead after successfully converting their first kick and Heale’s effort was saved by Hogan.

This was quickly wiped out after Russell brilliantly saved Richard Rose’s kick and Rhodes scored with his.

Both teams converted their next 4 penalties with Russell showing a cool head to send Hogan the wrong way with his side’s 6th spot kick.

Into sudden death, the score was 5-5 when Luke Wilkinson saw his penalty brilliantly turned over the crossbar by Russell. Wilkinson’s penalty had plenty of power and pace but Russell got a strong hand to it, to turn the ball over.

It was up to Game to score and put Canvey through and the captain stroked home his penalty confidently to spark celebrations amongst the home support and Canvey players and management.