Grays can truly concentrate on the league as they bowed out in their final cup competition, the Essex Senior Cup.
The real concern was who was going to be struck down by the flu bug as managers Garry and Wayne were spluttering from the side-line.
There may have been five goals but it was far from a thriller as Canvey dumped Grays out of the Essex Senior Cup, 3-2 in extra time.
It was an opportunity for many Grays players such as keeper Steve Arnold and new signing Leon McKenzie to get 90 minutes under their belts.
The first chance didn’t come until the half hour when a Barry Cogan run on the right saw the top scorer chip across to Sam Sloma but the shot was well saved by keeper Mel Capleton.
At the other end, defenders Gavin Dayes and Rob Gier made a number of last-ditch tackles to keep the Islanders at bay.
The deadlock was broken in the 75th minute when a speculative thump up-field by Chris Moore was met by Gabriel Fanibuyan who blasted the ball past Steve Arnold.
The goal looked decisive until the 90th minute when Barry Cogan was up-ended in the box. He got up to put the penalty neatly away and see the game move into extra time.
Canvey restored the lead in the 91st minute with a Jon Edwards header but Grays debutant Leon McKenzie equalised nine minutes later.
The match was settled when Leon Gordon headed in after a free kick hit the bar.
Report by Michael Casey
Thanks to Your Thurrock for the match report
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