Stockport County cruised into the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a resounding 4-1 win at Crewe.
Hatters into second round
Stockport County cruised into the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a resounding 4-1 win at Crewe.
The hero of the day was Hatters striker Carl Baker, who helped himself to a hat-trick at the Alexandra Stadium.
Crewe keeper Adam Legzdins was also guilty of a couple of gaffes, which helped Stockport on their way.
Legzdins flapped at Michael Rose's eigth-minute corner and Baker took advantage, slamming home from eight yards out.
Crewe could have been level soon after but Calvin Zola blocked team-mate Byron Moore's shot before Harry Worley saw his solid header crash back off the upright.
Legzdins repeated his earlier error to hand Stockport a two-goal lead in the 33rd minute, fumbling Rose's corner to allow Baker a carbon-copy second.
Then poor defending from new boy Simon Walton left the sorry keeper one-on one with Nicholas Bignall who finished with ease on his debut to put County out of sight with 41 minutes gone.
Zola fired home a consolation goal from 12 yards out in injury time but Baker completed his hat-trick with the final kick of the game to take his tally to seven goals in three games.