HARRY Baker scored twice as Wimborne Town got back to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Bideford.

A tough September saw Magpies dumped out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy, as well as pick up just one point from two league games.

But Baker’s double, as well as a strike from Oakley Hanger, saw Tim Sills’s charges climb up to fourth in Southern League Division One South.

Facing a side level on points with them in the table, Wimborne’s XI showed three changes with Hanger, Lewis Beale and Bert White all coming in to start.

And the hosts made the perfect start at New Cuthbury. In just the second minute, Josh Carmichael’s pass sent Baker away, the striker brought down by goalkeeper Adam Seedhouse Evans.

Baker stepped up himself and slammed home the resulting penalty.

Magpies went on to dominate the first half. Beale, Carmichael, Jack Lovell and Jez Bedford all had efforts to double the lead, while Billy Walker impressed at the back.

Bedford then struck the post before the half was out, before Walker’s header cleared the crossbar.

Wimborne got their rewards five minutes into the second period. Lovell’s shot was saved by the in-form Seedhouse Evans, but Baker was quickest to react to fire the loose ball in.

Bideford pulled a goal back almost instantly. Finn Roberts aimed a ball towards the far post, which evaded White and flew in.

That boosted the Robins, who looked to snatch an equaliser. White, playing in place of the injured Ross Flitney, saved a Roberts free-kick, before Archie Reay wasted a good chance.

Sills’s side re-established their two-goal cushion just past the hour mark.

Bedford found Hanger down the right, who fired across goal and in.

Chances kept coming with Seedhouse Evans thwarting Bedford and Lovell’s header hitting the bar, while at the other end Matthew Buchan struck the post.

Matty Neale saw a late chance to get on the scoresheet come and go, but three was more than enough for the Magpies, in front of a crowd of more than 500.

Magpies: White, Hanger, Roberts, Walker (Scorey, 72), Jackson, Carmichael, Bedford, Neale, Beale (Morgan, 63), Lovell, Baker (Johnston, 82).

Unused subs: Cocklin, Flitney (g/k).