A tremendously-entertaining Conference game at Park Lane saw Morecambe battle back from a 3-0 deficit to earn a share of the spoils against their Canvey hosts.
Canvey, fresh from being FA Cup giant-killing victims in midweek when they lost at Southern League Division One West Burnham, profited when recalled goalkeeper Danny Potter made a fine penalty save from Michael Twiss after the ex Manchester United goalkeeper had been tripped in the box by Steve Ward.
That was after seven minutes, and two minutes later Canvey went ahead when summer signing from Crawley, striker Allan Tait, scored his first goal for the Islanders when he floated the ball home from Chris Duffy's left-wing cross.
After 24 minutes it was 2-0 after a superb move. Tait, making only his fourth start since his £2,000 move, sent skipper Jeff Minton clear on the right and the midfielder's cross saw top scorer Lee Boylan control well before crashing home his sixth goal of the season.
Morecambe, who have lost five Conference games on opposition territory this term, looked to be heading for a sixth when midfielder Ben Sedgemore played a fine one-two with Boylan and made it 3-0 after 49 minutes.
But the visitors hit back and, having forced Potter to make some fine saves earlier, reduced the arrears after 59 minutes when skipper Jim Bentley headed home.
That was the sign for full-time Morecambe to really come strong against their part-time opponents. Twiss was on hand to make it 3-2 after 73 minutes and the same player ensured the points were shared when he collected a pass from Michael Howard and turned to score with a thunderous effort from a difficult angle on the left with nine minutes remaining.
As injury-time approached, visiting goalkeeper Ryan Robinson produced a fine save to keep out Boylan's well-struck 25-yard free-kick, but a sharing of the spoils was a just outcome from a thrilling game.