Staines Town kept alive their play-off hopes with a 3-0 win over Thurrock at a sunny Wheatsheaf Park.

They enjoyed the best possible start, when John Marquis put them ahead in only the fifth minute, latching onto an André Scarlett pass and drew the advancing ‘keeper.

Although Woolley was able to get a touch, Marquis took it early and fired home.

Leroy Griffiths engineered a decent chance, too, for Staines, but the game then went rather quiet, until the last 15 minutes or so of the half.

Then, Louis Wells made a good aerial take, and then launched an attack which eventually led to Newton’s good ball in to Marquis, who shot across the face of goal.

Thurrock then countered down the right, and the cross was flick-headed just wide by skipper Pope. I Five minutes before the break, Thurrock’s dangerous striker Lewis Smith beat the offside and bore down on goal, but Yado Mambo got back speedily to make an important clearance.

Dominic Sterling picked up an injury just six minutes into the second period, to be replaced by Kamara, and in a rocky period for the home side, Wells was relieved to see Bryant’s shot just clear his bar.

Then, the keeper thanked his defence for blocking a McKenzie pile-driver, and Andre Scarlett picked up a booking for a flare-up with Lalite, who was also yellow carded.

When Scarlett was involved in another talking-to soon afterwards, Steve Cordery decided to replace him by sub King.

By that time, however, Staines had already extended their lead, courtesy of a superb 62nd minute volley by Marquis.

It came from an accurate free-kick drilled in low from the right by Griffiths, and was met first time by the loan striker. Marquis then got booked for a tackle from behind on the dithering Woolley, but the Thurrock ‘keeper showed no ill effects when making an incredible recovery to deny Marc Charles-Smith.

He had just come back onto the field after a head injury, and robbed the ‘keeper on the 18 yard line, seemingly giving himself a tap-in for 3-0, but Woolley scrabbled back to his feet and redeemed himself.

Thurrock almost struck back through Pope, who received from a long Lalite throw, and forced a good save from Wells, then Marquis almost bagged his third when he rounded Woolley but found the angle just too tight to squeeze home his shot.

After 82 minutes, King made a nimble turn in the box and laid the ball off for Charles-Smith, who saw his goalbound shot kept out by the ‘keeper’s legs.

Just four minutes remained when Paine brought down Charles-Smith, to give Swans the penalty, and Marquis the chance to complete his hat-trick.

His kick was saved by Woolley, but Mr Rathbone ruled that he had moved too soon, and Marquis spanked his second attempt safely into the corner.

He received a standing ovation when replaced moments later by Taylor, and not surprisingly was voted Man of the Match by Steve Collins (of the club’s programme printers, Spitting Lizard), the award being handed over by Ken Williams.

Thurrock had a couple of close efforts during the three added minutes, Stalley driving just over and Lalite forcing Wells to save.

Staines: Wells, Jackson, Sterling (Kamara 51), Gordon ©, Mambo, Scarlett (King 65), Newton, Thomas, Marquis (Taylor 87), Charles-Smith, Griffiths; unused Ifura, Phillips (g).

Thurrock: Woolley, Pope ©, Andrews (O’Toole 89), Bryant, Olima, Paine, Bodkin, Lalite, Smith (Stalley 69), McKenzie, Orilonishe; unused Anderson, Swaine, Flynn.

Ref: IJ Rathbone (Semilong, Northants); ARs PD O’Hare (Hugh Wycombe, Bucks)), S Millar (Dunston, Northants); Att 439.