Watch the Slideshow

Baker capped a brilliant first half with a simply stunning goal right at the end of the half to give Morecambe an interval lead they just about deserved.

He picked up the ball on the edge of the box, leaving three defenders on their backsides as he twisted and turned before curling a left-footer high into the net to send the home fans into delirium.

And he did it again after 66 minutes, picking up a pass from Damien Allen before whipping an exquisite left-footer low past Stockport keeper, Conrad Logan.

It was a great, open first half with chances at either end.

Most of the best ones fell to the home side with Conrad Logan having to be at his best to keep them out.

First he leapt to his left to palm away a cracking right foot volley from Carl Baker after he raced onto a brilliant cross from Gary Thompson after 16 minutes.

Then he sprung low to block a fierce drive from Michael Twiss that was heading for the bottom corner.

But the visitors threatened too with Danny Adams clearing off his line as an Adam Griffin cross almost drifted in at the far post.

And Joe Lewis made a point blank block from Anthony Elding's shot in the six yard box.

Gary Thompson, threatened all night with some great runs and crosses but it was man of the match Baker who was the difference between the sides.

When asked if the performance was the best of the season so far, the Shrimps' boss Sammy McIlory said it was no better than the one in which his side had lost at home to MK Dons the previous Saturday.

"It was just that tonight we managed to finish a couple of the chances we got.

"That's why I brought Carl Baker to the club. We knew what he could do and tonight he showed that. If that kind of performance attracts bigger clubs then so be it and we'll have to look at that.

"I said to Carl before the game 'let's see if you can deliver in the final third' – that's what great players do. Tonight he showed he's up to that and he was great."

Morecambe: Lewis 7, Yates 7, Artell 7, Bentley 7, Adams 7, Thompson 8,
Stanley 7, Allen 7 (Hunter 85), Baker 9 (Sorvel 77), Twiss 7, Blinkhorn 7 (Newby 83). Unused subs: Drench, Howard.

Stockport County: Logan, Smith (Briggs 46), Williams, Owen, Taylor, Proudlock (Dickenson 52), Griffin, Tierney, Blizzard (Tansey 76), McNeill, Elding. Unused subs: Rowe, Jones.

Referee: Paul Taylor.
Attendance: 2,871.

Star man: Carl Baker – the difference between the two sides.