Canvey hit back twice to earn FA Cup draw with Potters Bar Town

(Tuohy 45’, Stokes 75’: Nathaniel-George 2’, Casey 68’)

From the Frost Financial Stadium

FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

CANVEY Island came back from losing positions twice to earn a draw against Potters Bar Town in the FA Cup.

The Gulls were keen to avoid an upset similar to last year, when they went out to lower-league opposition in the form of Ipswich Wanderers, but they started this match in poor fashion.

Just two minutes were on the clock when Ashley Nathaniel-George headed home past goalkeeper Conor Gough.

Chris Doyle saw a header tipped wide by Gough as the pressure intensified before the Gulls started to find their feet.

Lee O’Leary’s header was narrowly wide before Martin Tuohy’s effort was cleared off the goal-line.

Steve Sheehan headed into the side-netting as the pressure began to grow, although they were afforded a massive let-off when Gough and Ryan O’Rawe got in each other’s way only for the follow-up shot to fly wide.

The leveller came on the stroke of half-time, with Tuohy again on target. O’Leary played in the striker and he made no mistake.

After the break Tuohy was again denied by a goal-line clearance but Potters Bar took the lead once again.

Eoin Casey finished after a terrific cross but Canvey weren’t going down without a fight.

Substitute Tony Stokes, in fine form of late, powered home a header from fellow substitute Mitchell Gilbey, as both sides gunned for the winner.

Gough superbly denied Joe Bennett but it ended all square and the two will go again on Tuesday.

Canvey Island: Gough, Morrison, Dumas, May, O’Rawe, Sheehan, Simmons (Gilbey), O’Leary (Lawson), Sykes (Stokes), Tuohy, Chatting