TOM Baker’s revamped Trafford side produced a remarkable performance on Saturday to stun fourth-placed Leek Town with a 3-1 away win that revived their own faint hopes of promotion from Evo-Stik West.

Baker made seven changes to the side that had been beaten so comprehensively by Ramsbottom United the previous week, giving debuts to five newcomers and retaining only Matty Cooper, Keil O’Brien, Curtis Jones and Liam Ellis.

And in the opening stages it appeared as though Baker’s gamble might backfire as Leek dominated with some slick moves and several crosses that Trafford struggled to cope with.

In the 20th minute the hosts forged ahead with a superbly created goal, Robert Stevenson clipping a ball in from the left and Aaron Bott volleying home from eight yards.

Trafford were undaunted and seven minutes later they levelled when home keeper Danny Roberts parried a thunderous drive by Mason Fawns but then blotted his copybook by allowing an Ellis header to slip through his hands after a Jimmy Moore cross to the back post.

Matty Cooper pushed a Stevenson drive past his near post in the opening minutes of the second half and then saved a weak header by Jack Sanders but Trafford were defending well with O’Brien and Jones outstanding.

And in the 54th minute they shocked the home supporters with an excellent goal, Fawns playing a fine ball into the path of Ellis who cut inside and struck a great angled drive inside the far post from 20 yards.

Debutants Joel Amado and Kamar Moncrieffe linked brilliantly down the left and in the 70th minute Moncrieffe made it 3-1 when he nodded home from close range after O’Brien had headed a deep free kick across the face of the Leek goal.

Leek were a spent force and in the dying minutes Moncrieffe almost notched a fourth when his drive from 30 yards was tipped over the bar by Roberts.

After three successive home defeats, this was a much-needed and welcome victory for Trafford and manager Baker must be applauded for his courageous decision to make wholesale changes to his squad.

Trafford do not have a game on Saturday but host Premier League outfit Buxton on Tuesday night in the semi-final of the Integro League Cup, kick off 7.45pm.