Aarran Racine equalised for the hosts with his second goal in two games, while Dayshonne Golding and Kieron Pamment both scored their first for the club since joining in recent weeks.

The win maintains their seven point lead at the top of the table, but crucially opens up a gap on Folkestone and Hornchurch in third and fourth, both of whom drew their games.

The visitors had a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring within just five minutes. They broke down the right through Great Evans, who squared the ball across the face of goal to Toby Bancroft, but the striker scuffed his shot and it curled wide of the far post with the goal gaping.

A few moments later, Bancroft atoned for his mistake by opening the scoring. Bancroft nicked the ball from the toes of young Fin Stevens deep in Worthing territory, before driving forward and slotting the ball past Carl Rushworth to put the visitors ahead.

Worthing responded instantly by piling the pressure on Wingate & Finchley, carving out a number of quality chances in quick succession. Reece Meekums had a powerful shot saved at the near post and Racine had a header cleared off the line from the resulting corner, before Ollie Pearce turned a header wide of the post from very close range.

The Mackerel Men were behind for just 6 minutes, equalising through Aarran Racine. The ball had ricocheted around the box before landing at the feet of Racine, who volley home from point blank range to bring it level.

Dayshonne Golding, a recent signing from local rivals Lewes, found the net on the half hour mark to put Worthing ahead. Ricky Aguiar fired a dangerous free kick towards the bottom corner and goalkeeper Shane Gore did well to turn it away from goal. However, his save fell perfectly at the feet of Golding, who made no mistake from a tight angle to put Worthing ahead.

The half ended with the hosts a goal up, and they were good value for their lead. Worthing had dominated proceedings and looked increasingly likely to increase their lead as the half wore on, with Wingate struggling to keep pace.

Worthing began the second period at breakneck pace, putting the visitors under pressure right from the whistle.

Golding had looked lively in the first half and continued in the same vein, displaying some excellent footwork to open up some space and curl a shot inches wide of the post.

Just minutes later, Jasper Pattenden was fouled in the area and the referee pointed straight at the spot. Pearce stepped up to take the penalty and fired it down the middle, getting slightly fortunate as the ball squirmed underneath Gore and into the back of the net.

Despite being two goals ahead, the hosts did not let up the pressure on Wingate’s goal. Pearce went very close to adding a fourth for Worthing, the striker inches away from getting his toe on the end of a delightful cross from Aguiar.

Pearce again tested the keeper on the 75 minute mark. The striker displayed some great strength to hold onto the ball in the box and turn his man, before firing a low shot across the face of goal and forcing Gore into a fine stop.

Substitutes Tom Chalaye and Kieron Pamment combined to find Worthing’s fourth and put the tie beyond any doubt. Chalaye broke down the right and put in a delightful low cross to find the feet of Pamment, who set himself and slotted home from 6 yards.

The visitors found themselves a consolation goal with two minutes left to play, Great Evans slotting underneath Rushworth from close range to bring to score to 4-2.

The final whistle signalled an end to a game which had long been over as a contest. Worthing will be happy with their performance, and happier still with the accompanying three points.