COUNTY boss Gary Ablett paid tribute to the bravery of Carl Baker, whose two goals earned a valuable point at Yeovil despite a week of personal tragedy.

Baker's brother Michael lost his battle with leukaemia this week but the 25-year-old midfielder elected to play and scored both County goals at Huish Park.

Ablett said: "Probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do was break the news to Carl on Wednesday morning that his brother had passed away, but we left it up to Carl and he rang me on Thursday night and said he wanted to play.

"All his family agreed and Carl said it's what his brother would have wanted.

"To turn in a performance like that after the week he's had, to have the confidence to take a penalty and the quality for his second goal tells you what an outstanding player he is, and who knows what could happen for him in the future?"

Baker opened the scoring from the penalty spot and then joined every one of his team mates as they saluted Michael with a specially-made shirt held aloft in front of the County bench.

Glovers keeper Alex McCarthy saw red for the penalty incident but the ten men hit back through Gavin Tomlin. County restored their lead on the stroke of half-time when Baker unleashed a devastating drive from the edge of the box.

But Yeovil responded well and sub Sam Williams rose above the County defence to level the game midway through the second-half.

Ablett was unable to disguise his disappointment, saying: "For all the possession we had, we didn't really create as much as we should. Yeovil only needed one chance in the second-half which was disappointing. It's two points lost rather then a point gained."

But the County players were quick to salute the contribution of Baker, now the nation's top goal-scorer, having bagged his eighth and ninth of the campaign.

Defender Johnny Mullins said: "I was over the moon for Carl to get those two goals. The shirt and the celebration was something that we planned in the week with kitman Richard Landon in honour of Carl's brother and it was going to happen whoever scored but it was really fitting that Carl managed to get the goal."

Ablett gave a debut to on-loan Leeds defender Paul Huntington, who impressed throughout.

Ablett said: "He did very well, it's always difficult coming into a new side so he can be really pleased with his performance."

But the day was all about Baker who was mobbed by the County fans at the final whistle and given a sympathy card signed by every one of the travelling supporters. The entire first team squad will now attend Michael's funeral on Thursday.

COUNTY: Fon Williams 6, Mullins 6, Huntington 6, Havern 6, Rose 6, Vincent 6 (Johnson 6), Tansey 7, Bridcutt 6, Poole 6, Baker 8, Bignall 7 (Thompson 5).

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