re on the back foot for long stretches of the game.

Manager Dave Anderson did something he has rarely had the luxury of doing; naming an identical 11 starters and 5 substitutes who did duty on Saturday. Canvey, fresh from a 6-1 drubbing of Aylesbury at Buckingham Road, brought in Matt Jones as a sub in place of Spencer Knight.

In the 11th minute, Hendon had to replace Dale Binns with Kieran Gallagher after the former had picked up a groin injury. Three minutes later, Lee Protheroe crashed a free-kick off the Hendon woodwork with David Hook beaten.

Just a couple of minutes after that, Canvey failed to clear their lines well and Martin Randall drilled a 25-yard lob that Ashley Harrison did well to push against the crossbar and over the top. From the corner, Paul Towler got a free header, but failed to hit the target.

Midway through the first half, Hendon took the lead. Paul Yates was fouled on the right touchline and Gallagher delivered a perfectly flighted free-kick. Rising highest among a tall defence was the diminutive Ricci CRACE and his looping header gave Harrison no chance.

Three minutes later, Hendon doubled their lead. Mark Cooper ended a Canvey break with a long downfield clearance, Ollie Adedeji misjudged the bounce of the ball and Crace latched onto it. He fed Randall, who looked up and invited Yates to fire. YATES, who scored only once last season, matched that tallly with a sweet strike.

Within 8 minutes, the scores were level. Another free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, this time Canvey's left, was left to PROTHEROE to take again, and he bent in beautiful shot. Less than 60 seconds later, Scott Forbes got around the back of Jamie Burgess and sent in a low cross which John KENNEDY turned past Hook. It was no more than Canvey deserved.

Their defence was at least as porous as their attack was potent and more slipshod work gifted Hendon a third goal in the 41st minute. Adedeji was closed down by Crace near to the corner flag and tried to pass to Ben Chenery inside the Canvey penalty area. The pass was wayward and Chenery could not reach it.

RANDALL could, and his first-time shot from 18 yards was hit so early Harrison was completely wrong-footed and could not get down in time to make a save.

In the last minute of the half, Canvey's frustration blew over. Towler was battling with Protheroe for possession and had just about won out, when the midfielder dragged the Hendon man to the ground on his back. It was a fairly clear-cut foul, but Protheroe reacted by kicking the ball at the assistant referee.

Whether the ball struck Chris Duffy or not is not the issue; the assistant referee believed the ball had been kicked at him - and hit him - and he immediately flagged. Referee Mr S Pryor listened to the report, called over Protheroe and produced a red card.

Any thoughts that Hendon had that the second half would be easier against 10 men lasted approximately 10 seconds, because that was how long it took for Canvey to launch their first attack. Full credit to the Gulls, they hammered Hendon after the interval.

Hook produced three brilliant saves, Cooper and Steve Butler were joined by Jon-Barrie Bates and Steve Forbes, effectively creating a back 6; but they could not repel the yellow and blue tide. Three efforts were cleared off the line, 2 more came off the woodwork and 4 great chances were sent wide. Randall, Crace and Gallagher didn't see any of the ball.

The inevitable equaliser came in the 70th minute, but there was more than a hint of controversy about it. Neil Gregory clearly dragged Hook's arm away as the goalkeeper came for a cross but Mr Pryor - who had an excellent first hour hour - gave a corner. GREGORY rose highest at the corner too and netted.

Only after they had scored did Canvey relas their grip on the game, and it was a slight relaxation. But it cost them dear. In the 81st minute, Forbes picked up a loose ball 20 yards inside his own half.

Suddenly the pitch opened up in front of him. Crace ran to the right, Randall to the left. Three defenders were caught unsure of who to cover. Forbes passed to Crace, who cut inside Steve Ward and laid the ball back to YATES, who sent the Hendon fans into raptures with magnificent curling blast that kissed the inside of the post on its way into the net.

The lead lasted exactly 4 minutes and victory was snatched away by an controversial decision. Defending a corner, Hook comfortably palmed the ball over the crossbar, but Mr Pryor had seen Cooper holding a Canvey player's shirt. Nobody else saw it, even Cooper the alleged guilty party, who got a yellow card. GREGORY waited for the fuss to die down and struck home a confident penalty kick.

There was still time for Crace to receive a red card for 2 cautions, both for over-enthusiastic challenges, but it must be said both were fouls and both probably warranted yellow cards. In stoppage time, Leon Woodruffe, on for Gallagher, had a great chance to make it 5-4, but he could not get the ball onto his favoured foot and the chance went begging.

"I am so proud of the boys tonight," said Mr Anderson, who was fiercely critical of the referee. "They absolutely battered us in the second half, but we did not cave in. To come here and score 4 is great; it's just a shame we didn't get a win with it."