Canvey Island 3-3 Burgess Hill Town

From the Frost Financial Stadium

Ryman Premier League

CANVEY Island produced a stirring second half comeback to earn a draw against Burgess Hill Town in their final home game of the season.

The Gulls trailed 3-0 at half time, but strikes from Cliff Akurang, Martin Tuohy and Harrison Chatting ensured the points were shared.

Canvey had beaten Met Police last time out and manager Danny Heale had impressed the importance of a strong ending to the season at home.

Burgess Hill Town started in confident fashion, with Dan Pearse unleashing a speculative volley that goalkeeper Conor Gough had to turn behind.

Curtis Gayler hit a similar effort with Gough palming around the post although Canvey were starting to find their feet.

Akurang headed Ross Johnson’s cross narrowly wide of the post, although Marlon Agyakwa came even closer when his long range effort was tipped onto the post by keeper Josh James and the rebound favoured the goalkeeper.

But it was Burgess Hill that opened the scoring with a fine strike from Luc Doherty after 35 minutes, as he found the far corner via the back post.

And it went from bad to worse as Canvey conceded twice more in the final exchanges of the half. First, Patt Harding was played through and he chipped into the net in style.

Curtis Gayler made it three with a carbon-copy of the first goal as he blasted across Gough and into the corner.

Canvey needed a response and they got one when Akurang pulled a goal back five minutes into the half from the penalty spot, having been brought down in the box.

Jay Curran was denied by James, with the stopper spectacularly keeping out Akurang’s header later on although there was nothing he could do to stop the Gulls’ second goal.

On 78 minutes Ashley Dumas sent a delightful cross to the far post and substitute Tuohy headed home.

And two minutes later the scores were level, as Chatting’s strike took a huge deflection and beat James.

Both sides came close to winning the match, but the points were shared in a thrilling encounter.

Canvey Island: Gough, Johnson, Dumas, Halle, Lawson, Sheehan, Agyakwa, Curran, Gilbey (Tuohy), Chatting, Akurang