CANVEY Island manager Danny Heale admitted drawing derby rivals Concord Rangers in the Essex Senior Cup was inevitable.

Heale helped draw the clubs for the quarter-finals of the Essex County FA competition yesterday.

And he predicted the two would meet in the last eight as he drove to the event, which saw the Gulls drawn away to the Beachboys.

“It was always going to happen because I was doing the draw!” said Heale (inset).

“I played for Concord for years and obviously have friends down there. It’s a local derby. It’s a shame we’re not at home, but that’s the way things are.”

Skrill South side Concord knocked out Chelmsford City on penalties in the last 16 on Tuesday, while Canvey were the first side into the hat after their 3-1 win at Burnham Ramblers.

The last-eight ties have to be played on or before January 11 and Heale is hoping a victory at the Aspect Arena will be followed up by more success this season for his Ryman Premier Division side.

“We’re sitting in mid-table at the moment and our main aim is to get in and around the play-offs,” Heale added. “We’ve assembled a squad we believe can do that.

“We’ve had some ups and downs along the way — it’s just about finding a bit of consistency at the moment.

“We’ve had a good FA Cup run and we’re still in the quarter-finals of the Essex Senior Cup, but the league’s our priority. We’re looking to win every game and get through.”

Heale played in the Canvey side which defeated Colchester United 1-0 in the 2011 final and said it was a “good experience” which he would like to repeat as a manager.

Quarter-final draw: Barking or Braintree v Harlow or Redbridge, Colchester v Witham or Thurrock, Concord Rgrs v Canvey Island, AFC Hornchurch v Dagenham & Redbridge or East Thurrock.