JAMIE Baker netted twice for WIVENHOE TOWN but FC CLACTON snatched a late equaliser in this afternoon’s 2-2 draw at the Maple Tree Cars Stadium.

The sides met in an eagerly-awaited Thurlow Nunn League premier division derby and it was Baker who put the Dragons ahead with a free-kick from 20 yards.

Joe Moore headed the Seasiders level before Baker restored Wivenhoe’s lead with another quality finish from just inside the D.

However, Clacton left with a deserved point after substitute Ollie Law fired home to complete an entertaining north Essex derby.

Kieron Shelley’s Seasiders made a bright start and fashioned two decent openings in the first few minutes.

Kevin Coyle engineered the first after a surging run down the right.

He pulled the ball back but Michael Brothers’ low effort was blocked by keeper Peter Haxell.

Jamie Beecham then controlled a wonderful cross-field pass from Brothers but was tackled in the nick of time by Lee Clowsley.

Wivenhoe grew into the game and Hassan Ayten produced an overhead kick from a long throw into the box but it was straight at keeper Paddi Hawkins.

Ayten then fed Baker but the midfielder was unable to make proper contact and the chance went begging, despite having a clear view of the Clacton goal.

An opening goal appeared on the cards and it went the way of Wivenhoe.

The hosts won a free-kick just outside the box and Baker curled an exquisite effort into the top right-hand corner, from inside the D.

Clacton battled to get back in the game and no-one was able to apply a finishing touch, when Adam Daniels centred a right-wing free-kick by Gary Machin.

But they got the equaliser they deserved in the closing minutes of the half.

Machin swung in a corner from the right and defender Joe Moore rose highest to power an unstoppable header beyond Haxell.

Both sides traded chances at the start of the second half.

Brothers went closest with a hooked effort from the left that was cleared off the line.

Beecham and Louie Newland also tried their luck with shots while the Dragons’ best efforts of note early in the second period came from Matthew Eve and Baker, who was just unable to turn in a dangerous left-wing cross from former Seasider Jack Clampin.

However, it was Wivenhoe who soon nosed back in front thanks to hero of the afternoon Baker.

The midfielder picked up the ball just outside the area and let fly with a precision effort that flew into the top left-hand corner.

Tim Dennis then very nearly made it three with a header from a corner that came back off the bar.

But it was Clacton who levelled in the latter stages, thanks to a very well-taken effort from substitute Ollie Law.

He controlled a long ball forward and, finding himself through on goal, finished clinically with a sublime finish past Haxell.

The last chance of note came in the final seconds, but Clampin’s header was saved by Hawkins.

Wivenhoe: 4-4-2: Haxell; Davis, Clowsley, Dennis, Nydam; J Baker, Schofield, Clampin, Ayten; K Baker, Eve.

Subs: Sidki, Gallifant, O’Hare, McCracken, Hampson.

Clacton: 4-4-2: Hawkins; Marvell, J Moore, Daniels, Machin; Newland, Vaughan, Coyle, Beecham; Brothers, Joseph.

Subs: Blackman, Law, Shuttlewood, T Moore, Stace.