The Stan made their second trip to Willington's Hall Lane Ground in a week, this time to take on the Landlord's, Willington, after beating the tenants, Durham City, on Tuesday night.

The second half against Durham had been disappointing and despite extending our unbeaten league run to 11 games Decka made a couple of changes with Johnson replacing Dixon and the fit again Turnbull recalled in place of Laidler.

Willington could call upon the services of prolific ex West Auckland striker Matty Moffatt and former Bolton Wanderers and Hartlepool United schemer Jeff Smith.

It was the Stan who got the game under way in pouring rain kicking down the slope but it was the hosts who were first to show as Moffat broke intom the box and fired across the face of goal with Winter unable to get a touch at the back post.

Winter was involved again on 6 minutes but he shot straight at Smith when well placed in the box, the Stan were straight back up the other end and Robinson beat two men in the box put his cut back eluded Tait, Turnbull and Holland who were waiting to tap in. They went closer to breaking the deadlock on 10 minutes when after a patient build up, Tait slipped a lovely ball inside the full back for Holland to run on to but he shot across the face of goal and narrowly wide.

The Stan were getting on top and after Turnbull was tripped Robinson headed Johnson's free kick wide. They were dealt a blow on 25 minutes when the limping Deagle was replaced by Dixon but kept pressing and Johnson had a shot that drifted wide before Holland teed up Imray who's shot was deflected for a corner. Another cynical foul on Turnbull won another free kick in a good position but Tait drove it high over the bar, before another good break set Ethan up again but his shot was again too high.

The Stan finished the half with Johnson meeting Tait's corner but heading wide before the Ref signalled the end to a disappointing half.

HT: Willington 0 - 0 Stan

The rain continued to chuck it down in the second half and it was Willington who had the first chance when Turnbull pinged a 30 yard back pass to Matty's chest which put the keeeper under pressure and he just about dealt with it as Winter was slow to react to the chance. Turnbull nearly atoned for his error on 51 when he cut in from the left and drew a fine save from Graham in the Willington goal. This was followed by a half chance for Holland but his curling effort was always drifting wide.

Winter then forced a fine save out of Smith before Petrache stopped Moffat in his tracks with a good tackle. On the hour Hoggins replaced Tait upfront as the Stan looked for a breakthrough but it was the hosts who were now pressing and Willington had the ball in the net a minute later but Winter was flagged offside and they were to have another effort ruled out later for the same offence as the influential Smith started to take hold of the game. However it was the Stan who finally broke the deadlock when a corner wasn't cleared and Dan Robinson took a touch and calmly back heeled the ball into the net via the post from 6 yards out on 70 minutes.

It was a 7th goal in his last 4 games after his barren spell from the start of the season and was greeted with delight by ther travelling Stan Army.

Willington were rattled asnd responded with 5 heading over from a corner before a cross from the right gave Moffatt the best chance of the game but Smith sprang across his goal to tip away the goalbound header and protect the slender lead.

Laidler then replaced Turnbull ast the Stan looked to shut up shop and see out the game.

For the last 10 minutes the hosts huffed and puffed without creating a chance although they had a penalty shout for handball turned down by the Ref, the Stan sat deeper and deeper inviting pressure but comfortably saw out out the extra 5 minutes of stoppage time.

FT: Willington 0 - 1 Stan

It hadn't been a classic by any stretch of the imagination but the Stan had provided the one piece of class in the box that ultimately won them the game and its a good sign that a team can still win games despite not getting out of second gear. The win extended our unbeaten run to 12 games and keeeps us in fouth position just 2 point behind the leaders.

Next we welcome to Chester Le Street Town to Grounsell knowing that a win could take us to the top of the table.

Team 4-4-2 : Smith; Trodd, Ray , Petrache, Deagle (Dixon); Johnson, Imray (C) , Turnbull, (Laidler); Tait (Hoggins) , Robinson.

Sub: (not used) Jones, Salim.

Goals: Robinson 70.

Attendance: 75.

Simon Lansley