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A DRAMATIC injury-time winner from Carl Baker capped another memorable week in what is becoming a hugely enjoyable first season in League 2.

After the thrills of the midweek Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie with Port Vale a huge Christie Park crowd witnessed another thrilling finish as Friday night football fever hit the resort.

Baker popped up in the 91st minute to slot home Garry Thompson's right wing cross for his fifth, and most important, league goal of the season.
Baker grabbed the headlines but it was Thompson who was the real hero on the night with a superb display which was met with praise from both managers.

Those who have watched Thompson over the past few years know exactly what he is capable of and when he performs like he did in this game there are few defences who can stop him when he is in full flight.

Bradford boss Stuart McCall felt Thompson was the difference between the sides on the night, saying: "If he played like that week in week out he would be playing in the Premiership. He was outstanding and was a constant threat all night.''

His own boss Sammy McIlroy agreed: "Thompson was magnificent and showed just what we all know he is capable of. It was great to see a winger taking people on like that with pace and strength and delivering great crosses.''

As well as being the provider for Baker's winner, Thompson made his mark earlier in the game with a timely equaliser on 64 minutes from a well worked Shrimps' free-kick. Those at York last year will remember the move where Craig Stanley plays a dead ball sideways for Thompson to sidefoot home with a first time shot.

Unfortunately Morecambe's defence had not been as sharp at a free-kick at the other end as Bradford took the lead just before the break. Not for the first time this season they allowed an opponent too much space in the box to head a cross past Joe Lewis.

The game itself was a flowing one and Bradford certainly played their part. They came into the game on a run of four successive defeats but always looked threatening on the attack.

In Jamaican international Omar Daley they had a winger with Thompson's pace but, fortunately for Morecambe, produced some shocking finishes. On the other wing Alex Rhodes also looked sharp but again failed to test Lewis with several long range efforts that all flew well wide of the target.

When Bradford did break through they come up against an excellent Lewis.

In the first half he produced an excellent save from Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu but then produced an amazing double save to deny Bradford a late second. After a sharp reflex save from Ndumbu-Nsungu he excellent from the follow-up by saving Kyle Nix's effort with his giant legs.

At the other end Baker was always a handful for Bradford. In the first half he curled a delightful effort inches wide of Rhys Day's right hand post and after the break saw another clever effort cleared off the line by the visitors' experienced skipper David Weatherall.

The midfielder didn't give up though and capped another fine, individual display with another vital goal.

Morecambe: Lewis 8, Yates 7, Artell 7, Bentley 7, Adams 7, Thompson 9, Stanley 7, Allen 7 (rep Hunter 58) , Baker 8 (rep Sorvel 90), Twiss 7 (rep Newby 82), Blinkhorn 7. Subs not used: Davies, Howard.

Bradford: Rhys Evans 6, Williams 7, Wetherall 8, Bower 7, Heckingbottom 6 (rep Ainge 20), Daley 7, Law 7, Johnson 6, Rhodes 7 (rep Nix 74), Ndumbu-Nsungu 6, Conlon 7.
Subs nit used: Ricketts, Phelan, Medley.

Referee: C Webster 4/10 - the worst referee this season, some woeful decisions.
Match 8/10

Star man: Thompson

Att: 4,761.

ON M 5 B 6
OFF M 8 B11
FOULS M 11 B 20
CORNERS M 7 B 2
OFFSIDES M 6 B 7