Ten men Blues produced a tremendous performance to overcome local rivals Canvey Island in the BBC Essex Senior Cup after losing keeper Danny Sambridge with just eight minutes of the match played. Ashley Miller donned the keepers jersey looking as if he had played between the sticks for years with two quality saves backed up by some secure handling. Every player worked tirelessly to overcome a one goal deficit equalising on the stroke of half time and going on to win the game in the second half and had they taken two excellent chances late in the game the scoreline would have been more generous to them. The reward for the win sees Blues travel to take on Billericay Town in the quarter final. With Ryan Sammons and Dexter Peter both cup tied, Miller was drafted into the squad after a long lay off through injury little knowing what was in store for him - another plus of the evening was the return of Tony Stokes coming on as a second half substitute and making an immediate impact with some deft touches.

A low key opening sprung into life with just eight minutes on the clock when a ball forward was chased down by Tobi Joseph in a suspiciously off side position, with the Blues defenders calling for offside Sambridge raced from his line colliding with Joseph as the striker lobbed the ball over him, there appeared to be Blues defenders in a position to clear the danger, but referee Neil West deemed Blues keeper the last man and issued a red card much to the protests of Blues players and bench.

Seizing the opportunity Canvey pushed forward with Freddie Eastwood coming close after the ball fell invitingly to him on the edge of the box. Miller was quickly in action moments later when he made a smart save from Kane Gilbert diving to his left to grab the ball.

Blues settled and began to play with assurance belying their one man deficit - Manny Ogunrinde and George Purcell created an opening when Ogunrinde funnelled the ball into the path of Purcell driving forward his shot was blocked by Lamar Johnson rebounding to Joao Carlos lurking on the edge of the box his first time shot cleared off the line by James White.

Canvey broke the deadlock on 33 minutes when a Gilbert long range shot was fumbled by Miller dropping to Joseph who made no mistake from close range. Miller made amends moments later going full length to turn an Eastwood drive behind.

On the stroke of half time Blues were rewarded for their resilience and enterprise - a free kick played into the box saw Steve King rise highest nodding down and as Gulls defenders hesitated Purcell pounced drilling a low shot into the bottom corner past Johnsons's despairing drive.

HT 1-1

A fairly even start to the second period ensued with Blues again playing with freedom, dropping back in numbers when pressed with staunch defensive headers led by the imperious King. Carlos and Purcell kept the Gulls defenders on their toes with darting runs ably supported by an industrious midfield where Mitch Hahn and Lewis Dark busied themselves like worker bees protecting their hive so much so that Miller was rarely tested and when asked replied with assured handling.

Gilbert caused a stir when a fortunate deflection gave him a shooting opportunity and for once Miller was beaten but the woodwork intervened and the chance was lost. It was a rare shot on target, Canvey guilty of overplaying and frequently scorning the opportunity to trouble Miller.

Blues were looking the more menacing going forward when the opportunity presented itself. Carlos with a slide rule pass freed Purcell scurrying towards goal his drive was well saved by the advancing Johnson, but with 64 minutes on the clock the Gulls stopper was comprehensively beaten by a 30 yard Purcell free kick lashed in to the bottom corner.

It was a remarkable turn round in fortunes one which Blues fully deserved for their disciplined and dogged determination and with the introduction of Stokes they could have increased their advantage when a deft touch wrong footed the Gulls back line. Carlos bore down on goal and with only Johnson to beat he uncharacteristically slid the ball the wrong side of the upright.

With the clock ticking down Canvey pushed forward but again flattered to deceive their only effort of note came from Rob Lacey, but his radar let him down firing harmlessly over.

A great roar went up at the final whistle to mark what looked for Blues an improbable victory with the dismissal of Sambridge with 82 minutes to play, but in the end it was fully deserved.

Sambridge( Miller 8), Joynes, King, Clark, Ogunrinde (Stokes),Hahn, Purcell, Dark (Fox) Carlos

Subs not used:Adebiye, Pindy, Kayembe