The deadlock of a mundane game was finally broken after 69 minutes when Nomads' keeper Chris Maxwell punched a John Leah free-kick straight to John McKenna, who fired his shot from the edge of the box.
Six minutes later, the outcome was settled as Alex Darlington got the better of full-back Peter Doran and his effort trickled agonisingly past Maxwell and over the line.
The hosts missed several chances to put the game to bed in the first-half against a Quay outfit who held their own with Craig Davies prominent, without ever really troubling keeper Paul Harrison.
Ben Alston twice made last ditch clearances in the opening spell while John Toner just failed to connect with a tantalising cross from Michael Wilde.
Saints looked better-balanced after the half-time introduction of Barry Hogan with Toner quickly missing a clear-cut opportunity.
Nomads almost opened their account when Craig Garside's effort skimmed the bar, but McKenna and Darlington ensured the win, with a late strike from Jamie Wood into the top corner the icing on the cake.
Stats and report courtesy of welsh-premier.com