New signing Tom Rowlands marked his home debut with the only goal of the game to earn Nomads a massive three points in their battle to avoid relegation.
But it was a sensational double penalty save from keeper Paul Pritchard that helped Quay take the spoils and send fellow strugglers Caernarfon away empty handed.
Former Heswall striker Rowlands drilled his shot beyond keeper Jason Hughes from 12 yards in the 35th-minute following a through ball from Mark Cadwallader, but the Canaries dominated the second half.
John Rowley's free-header on 51 minutes sailed over the target but, when James Thomas was upended by Nomads skipper Gary Pinch in the 70th minute, Layton Maxwell's spot kick was beaten out by Pritchard, who flung himself at Maxwell's follow-up effort to save the day.
The former Liverpool trainee almost made amends for his penalty miss with a 25-yard scorcher, but Pritchard was again the hero.
Stats and report courtesy of welsh-premier.com
Match Photos