The Stan travelled to Hall Lane on Saturday looking to keep up a remarkable run of form that has seen the lads rise to sixth in the table with games in hand on all of the sides above us. The current run of 24 points out of 27 has set the Stan up for an exciting run in as we look to cement a place in next season's FA Cup and look to improve on our best ever finish of fifth place. Decka and Geoff were afforded the luxury of naming an unchanged team which had beaten Durham City on Wednesday night, with Fulcher and Deagle returning to the bench.

The hosts, who's previous two games were both local derby defeats to Crook and Brandon, started the game in 17th place and included new signing Peter Brown in their line up who had impressed against the Stan when with Crook last season.

Willington got the game under way kicking down the slope with the rain making the pitch heavy before a ball was kicked, indeed both teams struggled with the surface with Shane Jones swappping a boot (yes just the one) early in the game. Willington suffered an early blow when Warnett was injured and replaced by Reece Brown on 7 minutes as the game struggled to get going.

The Stan had the games first shot after 10 mins but Dan Robinson's efffort was too high and then Jon Wright fired a free kick wide from 30 yards. Willington responded with a good run by Ellis but his low cross was cleared and Robinson then forced the Stan's first corner which was cleared.

Willington had a chance on 23 but shot over the bar from a 25 yard free kick and the Stan almost broke the deadlock 3 minutes later when Jones' deflected shot wrongfooted the keeper but came back off the post with Dixon's follow up being blocked.

The Stan were finding their feet now and another Jones effort was saved before Wright shot over after a great run, another run from Wright found Robinson at the back post but his volley was wide of the target. Willington responded when Brown shot over from 18 yards but the Stan were soon back on the offensive with Wright shooting wide and then Jones forcing a good save from a tight angle.

The Stan kept up the pressure and finally broke the deadlock on 41 minutes when a corner was only half cleared to Jon Jon Wright wide on the right and he curled a beauty over the keeper and in at the far post. The Stan almost made it two just before the break when Wright played Robinson in one on one but his shot was easily saved and we had to settle for a deserved one goal advantage at Half Time.

Half Time: Willington 0 - 1 Stan

Willington made another change at the break with Preston replacing Kokes and then Kent replaced Brown soon after as both teams struggled with the worsening conditions. The hosts had a half hearted penalty shout on 55 minutes but it was the Stan who finally strung a move together and put the game to bed a minute later. It started with Holland and Stoddart linking on the right and finding Lee Johnson who in turn released Stoddart with a suberb pass, Ali's cross was blocked but fell nicely in the box for Dean Imray who's shot was deflected past the keeper for 2 - 0.

Willington responded by forcing their first corner and then Kent shot wide but the Stan were soon back on the attack and Holland had a cross blocked for another corner before the keeper denied Jon Jon from a 30 yard free kick.

The Stan replaced Robinson with Yates on 72 and kept on pressing and were rewarded with a third goal 3 minutes later when a poor punch from the keeper fell to Josh Holland on the edge of the box and he lobbed the covering defender on the line for a fine finish.

Matty Smith had the Stan Army rubbing their eyes in disbelief when he dropped a cross, honestly he really did, but the loose ball was fired over the bar on 84; and after Willington wasted another corner the Stan responded with Johnson having a shot saved. Fulcher then replaced Johnson before Ellis had the home sides best chance in stoppage time when he shot tamely wide when through on goal. The final whistle blew on 93 minutes, and with Blyth Town beating Durham City,the win moved the Stan up to fifth place.

Full Time: Willington 0 - 3 Stan

It was a win earned in awful conditions as the rain had never stopped throughout but in truth we hadn't had to get out of second gear to beat a poor Willington side. The Stan back five were rarely tested with Ray and Wear always in control, but it was the graft of Holland and Imray that had built the platform for the creativity of Jones and Johnson to open up the Willington defence.

The soaked team and Stan Army were soon drying out in front of the open fire in the clubhouse as thoughts moved to Brandon at home on Saturday as we look to improve on our seven consecutive home league wins and a record of not conceding at home in the league for more than 10 hours.

Team 4-4-2: Smith; Stoddart, Dixon, Wear (C), Ray; Johnson (Fulcher 88) ,Holland , Imray, Jones ; Wright, Robinson (Yates 72) .

Sub not used: Deagle

Goals: Wright (1-0, 41 min), Imray (2-0, 56 min), Holland (3-0, 75 min)

Attendance: 63

Simon Lansley