The saints resurgence in league form continued on Saturday as they saw off third placed Cramlington United despite a late rally from the visitors who almost snatched an unlikely draw.
Willington knew a win would propel them back into promotion contention and they started brightly taking the lead just ten minutes into the game, Ryan Ferrier rose highest at the front post to flick the ball on into the path of centre half Matty Adams who was well placed to smash the ball home left footed from 8 yards to give the Quay a dream start.
Ross Thirlaway went agonizingly close to making it 2-0 as he slid to meet a brilliant cross from winger Alex Foreman but he missed the ball by inches wile midfielder Lee Crammond sent a shot just past the post from the edge of the boxafter another slick move from the home side.
The visitors had been scoring goals for fun in recent weeks but were restricted to a series of long shots that didn't trouble Ellis Burns in the Quay goal however on the half hour mark they scored, a cross from the left by Niall Younger took a deflection looping over everyone to striker Luke Taylor who rose to head the ball home to make it 1-1.
Five minutes before half time the Saints regained the lead with a bizarre goal, a long ball over the top to Thirlaway saw the linesman raise his flag for offside but the referee waved play on convinced the little striker was onside to the fury of the Cramlington defence Thirlaway unselfishly squared the ball across goal to Foreman to tap home into the empty net for his 6th goal of the season.
The second half started with a rare effort at goal from right back Stephen King who smashed a shot over the bar from 25 yards as he looked to end a run of 200 games without a goal.
Kieran Dewhurst and Brandon Williams made returns to the side coming on for Callum Ancrum and Foreman, Williams almost contributing straight away nearly finding Dan Coleman with a through ball that was just cut out by a clever bit of defending.
With 15 minutes to go the Saints scored a crucial third goal and a brilliant one at that, Midfielder Kenny Horsman who had been tremendous all afternoon flighted over a long free kick that Ferrier met with a fantastic side footed volley that flew into the corner leaving the keeper helpless also his 6th goal of the campaign.
Jack Wearmouth came on for the outstanding Leon Elgie at left back after the youngster picked up an ankle injury just after the third goal and there should of been a fourth goal shortly after as the magnificent Thirlaway waltzed through on goal but his shot was smartly saved by the legs of the Cramlington keeper.
With time running out for the visitors they found themselves back in the game in spectacular fashion, a cross was cleared into the path of Cramlington substitute Anthony Brannon who smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner from the edge of the box to set up a frantic final five minutes.
Coleman went close to restoring the Quays two goal advantage smashing a shot over the bar from close range before Cramlington almost stole a point in the final minute as midfielder Billy Pulman was found in the box after Adams had slipped but he recovered his footing just in time to clear the ball away and shortly after the referees whistle went to end the game.
A well deserved three points moves the Saints up to 7th place in the table and with a game in hand on a few teams above they are looking to carry on this good run of form to join the promotion race, next up is a visit to Jesmond FC this Saturday up at Coach Lane in a 2pm kick off.
