VETERAN striker Paul Baker bagged another brace to book Darwen's place in the second round of the Floodlit Trophy.

But the Anchormen needed extra time to see off a lively home side after several chances went begging in normal time.

It was the visitors who made the brighter start and they were rewarded with the opener midway through the first half.

Lee Slater's pinpoint through ball sent Baker away and he took aim before unleashing a screaming drive into the top corner.

Baker should have made it two a minute before the break but he was denied by keeper Mark Brooks after bursting clear.

Baker and Neil Almond both missed chances before Gate pulled one back on 65 minutes. Darren Jones netted from close range after Lee Purvis had tipped Steve Longworth's effort onto the bar.

But the home side were reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes left when Chris Lang was dismissed for a crude challenge on the outstanding Mick Lynch.

Darwen made use of the extra man and regained the lead eight minutes into extra time.

A brilliant five-man move ended with Baker heading home his 12th of the season.

Longworth headed narrowly wide in a brief scare for the visitors.

But Lee Slater made the game safe in the dying minutes, heading home Steve Wilkes's corner.

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