Kevin James may have scored a 47th minute winner but it was a magnificent display of goalkeeping from Phil Wilson that secured the points for The Hamlet as they came under sustained pressure from Canvey Island.

The first half saw a lot of midfield action with the visitors in the ascendancy for long periods and The Hamlet unable to create any clear chances. Canvey Island effectively closed down the creative forces in the home side and Dulwich looked disjointed as they were unable to hold the ball up front. The most likely source of a goal for the home side came from wingers Ellis Green and Abdul Mansaray, deputising on the right for the injured Nyren Clunis and Dean Lodge, who seemed to have the beating of their markers when brought into play.

Phil Wilson was called on to make a good low save within the first five minutes whilst Canvey forward Simon Thomas was just wide with an early effort.

The first sight of goal for the home team did not come until the midway point of the half as Erhun Oztumer curled a free kick just over the bar.

For the visitors, Simon Thomas was just inches away from getting on the end of a cross from the left with the goal at his mercy and, on the stroke of half time, the same player was denied a clear shot by Ahmed Deen's block.

Marcel Henry-Francis did not emege for the second half with Kevin James moving forward and this brought early attacking dividends.

Within a minute of the restart, James and Oztumer combined to set up captain Peter Adeniyi who had made his way forward from his unfamiliar role at right back. His shot brought a fine save from Josh Vickers in the Canvey goal.

The very next attack was to produce what transpired to be the winning goal. A cross from the right was flicked on by Marc-Anthony Okoye who had stayed forward following a corner to Kevin James who finished emphatically at the far post.

It was now The Hamlet who had the upper hand and Peter Adeniyi forced a great save from Vickers as he let fly after he had bamboozled the defence with his step overs.

However, just past the hour mark Dulwich were indebted to Marc-Anthony Okoye for a fine block.

The final twenty minutes were the Phil Wilson show as he made a fine double block from Thomas and Sheldon Sellears before then pulling off a remarkable triple save at his near post as it seemed Canvey were sure to equalise.

Kevin James then just failed to increase the Hamlet's lead as he couldn't get enough on a cross that fell just behind him. The late introduction of Jerome Walker gave Canvey some uncomfortable moments but the home side were indebted to Wilson again as he saved well from a Sellears free kick in added time