Two second half set piece goals saw league leaders Rothbury overcome an in form Saints side, as they extended there unbeaten league run to 23 games with a hard fought victory at the Barking Dog.
Willington Joint manager Mark Henderson made his first start of the season due to a centre half shortage, there were returns to the side for Jack Renwick, Lee Crammond and Goalkeeper Ellis Burns whilst Liam Taylor was on the bench after returning to the saints during the week.
Before the game there was a well observed minutes silence for former Rothbury player Tom Sutton who tragically passed away recently, the visitors facing an emotional day as they tried to concentrate on 90 minutes of football after what must of been a difficult week.
The Quay and Ross Thirlaway almost got off to a dream start but the youngsters strike cannoned back off the post and to safety as the home side began the game well for the second week running.
Rothbury made a solid start of their own and they were awarded a penalty on 8 minutes after forward Dan Thompson was brought down just inside the area despite Saints protests it was just outside, Tony Brown stepped up to calmly slot the ball into the corner to give his side the lead.
The league leaders were denied a second goal by a great block from veteran Henderson who got his body infront of a powerful strike at goal and was backed up by a follow up clearance from Ryan Ferrier while at the other end Kane Chirnside brought a fine save out of Rothbury keeper Robert Hodgson with Thirlaway just inches away from connecting with the rebound.
On the half hour mark the Saints were awarded a penalty of their own after Thirlaway was brought down in the area by a last ditch challenge, midfielder Brandon Williams stepped up to smash the ball home under the dive of Hodgson to level the scores and the sides went into the half time interval all square.
Just after half time the Quay were awarded a second penalty as Henderson went down in the area as a corner came into the area, Williams once again took the spot kick this time smashing it in off the underside of the bar to put the Saints ahead for the first time.
With Rothbury's unbeaten run under threat their captain Tom Macpherson stepped up to the plate to drag them back into the game rising highest at a corner to bury his header past Burns to bring the game level once again with a big half hour of football to play.
Two minutes later the visitors completed there comeback with the Quay once again falling to a set piece, a right wing free kick finding Rothbury midfielder Michael Old unmarked and his looping header/shoulder went over Burns and into the far corner to give his team the lead again.
A few half chances fell the way of the Quay with Renwick failing to connect with a back post volley whilst Dan Coleman connected perfectly to volley a ball that fell from way up but a brave block from a visiting defender deflected his effort for a corner.
Luke Monaghan and Liam Taylor came on as the Quay looked to get back into the game but a strong and resolute Rothbury defence held out with no alarm and they almost added a 4th goal late on when Thompson was denied by a stunning save from Saints keeper Burns who tipped his stinging effort onto the crossbar.
A couple of corners and long throws from the Quay were admirably dealt with by the Rothbury backline and when the referees final whistle went moments later the visitors celebrated another huge win in their promotion push but more importantly on the day a win to dedicate to the memory of their former team mate Tom.
A disappointing result for the Saints but another good performance that on another day could of got something from the game they now have just three games left to play starting with a home game this Saturday against Gateshead Redheugh (2.30ko)
