A spirited Carshalton Athletic performance on a grey, miserable day failed to yield any points for a fourth consecutive league game as they lost 1-0 at home to Canvey Island, writes James Barrett.

The only goal came just before half-time as a Dean Mason cross found its way inside the far post that eventually sealed victory for the visitors.

The Robins, despite dominating possession and hitting the woodwork twice during 90 minutes, couldn’t pierce the Canvey rearguard.

“Being our fourth consecutive league defeat makes it difficult to put a positive shine on things,” said Robins manager Paul Dipre at the final whistle.

“It’s a poor result bearing in mind we dominated the game from start to finish.

“We did everything right and we conceded from a cross that found itself going in. That is hard on the players because they have now gone three weeks without a victory and the performance deserved to earn them something.

“We have to pick ourselves up again and put in another good performance against Hendon next Saturday and the results should start to improve.”

On loan Southend midfielder Merrick James-Lewis made his debut alongside captain David Ray, who played in the middle of the park for this clash.

Luke Nolan returned at right back so Michael Kamara slotted next to Justyn Roberts at the heart of the defence.

And it was Ray that almost gave Carshalton the lead on 18 minutes. Following a corner he collected a returned high ball in at the back post, took a touch and crashed a half volley against the Canvey crossbar.

Canvey took the lead on 43 minutes when Mason broke down the right and managed to get inside the box and smash a cross-cum-shot across the six yard box that dropped inside the far post.

Carshalton came out attacking in the second half and Ray hit the woodwork for the second time on the hour when he headed a Billy Crook corner against Canvey’s left hand post.

Canvey Island goalkeeper James Russell was fortunate to remain on the pitch for the last 23 minutes when he rushed out of his box and clattered into Ola Sogbanmu, who had a clear run on goal from Crook’s pass. But referee Richardson deemed there were enough defenders around to only show the keeper a yellow card.

The visiting defence kept firm as The Robins strived to find an equaliser; Michael Kamara almost latched onto a Ricardo Joseph through ball that sped away from him, Justyn Roberts flashed a header just wide and substitute Laurent Hamici ghosted a shot across Russell’s goal but the wrong side of the far post.