Fylde's Baker turns up heat on Corby

The midfielder netted both goals in a 2-1 victory at Corby in October, taking him to six for the season, but a deeper role since has reduced his scoring opportunities.

His goal drought ended in Saturday’s 5-2 defeat of Boston United, a first win in four which lifted Dave Challinor’s side back into the National League North play-off zone.

Baker said: “I’m glad to be playing a bit further forward for a change. With one assist and one goal against Boston, I was very happy.

“I thought everyone did well and it all clicked. Over the last few weeks that final cross or pass hasn’t quite been there and we have been a bit of a nearly team.

“Every mistake we have made recently led to a goal. We couldn’t have done much about the free-kick Boston scored because it was unbelievable, but perhaps we could have dealt with the second goal a little better.”

For that goal, Fylde scorer James Hardy was caught in possession but Baker said: “James is only young and we would never try to take that flair out of him. He brings something completely different to any other forward. He’s a very clever player.”

Baker was also full of praise for his new midfield partner Bohan Dixon, who made his home debut last weekend.

“Bohan has been great and has settled in very well,” he said. “He is another who has added something different – pace, power, height! He tells me he can’t head the ball, though!

“We haven’t been consistent enough this season and have found it harder to break teams down now they have figured us out. Hopefully we can now put a run together. We want to be in the play-offs, then we have every chance.”

Manager Challinor hopes his side take Saturday’s form into the match against bottom club Corby, saying: “We have to back up that result. We know where we need to be.

“We have 11 games left and it isn’t over from our point of view until it’s over. We’ll keep going until it’s mathematically impossible to finish top (they trail leaders Solihull Moors by 12 points).

“If we can keep producing performances like we did at the weekend we will win more games than we lose.

“I want to see us play with that tempo and freedom every week and show people that we are a very good side.”

DANIEL AGNEW