Newport County 1-4 Bradford City: Cook marks injury return with hat-trick

Last season's top scorer Andy Cook had been goalless this season before facing Newport

Andy Cook marked his return from injury with a hat-trick to fire Bradford City to a comfortable win at Newport County.

Bradford had not won in the league since Cook last played a month ago.

But the veteran striker opened his account for the season with two first-half goals either side of Rayhaan Tulloch's first league goal.

Omar Bogle offered Newport a glimmer of hope before half-time but it was not enough to deny Mark Hughes' side only a third league win.

In contrast, Newport's bright start to the season appears to be fading and a serious-looking injury to centre-back James Clarke will only add to Graham Coughlan's woes.

Newport were unbeaten at home this season after six games but were stunned by three Bradford goals inside half an hour.

England Youth player Tulloch, on loan from West Bromwich Albion, was the Bantams' key playmaker on his first start.

His cross was headed in by Cook for the opener on 14 minutes to break his season duck.

Tulloch then grabbed his first league goal on 26 minutes after Kevin McDonald's effort was blocked.

Cook calmly tucked a second goal - his 50th for Bradford in 95 appearances - after Newport's Declan Drysdale was again caught napping.

Bogle offered the hosts a glimmer of hope before half-time when he raced onto Clarke's pass before rounding Bradford goalkeeper Harry Lewis to grab his third of the season.

However Newport struggled to mount any sustained pressure in a second half that only worsened with the loss of Clarke.

Cook headed in Liam Ridehalgh's cross to complete his hat-trick in added time.

Newport County manager Graham Coughlan told BBC Wales Sport:

"We were poor, the first half hour was terrible and the goals we conceded were unacceptable. It's a bad day for us all. I feel for the supporters because the players left us short. I'm frustrated and angry.

"We've got a patched up side at the moment and we need to get players back soon otherwise we're just going to limp along.

"But some individual performances were just not good enough. When we went down we just went under and that's not me, it's not this club. A few individuals shied away from the battle and that's what sticking in my gullet right now."

Bradford City manager Mark Hughes said:

"We had a great start, our general play was good and we had intensity but the key is getting on the scoresheet and we did.

"Confidence grew from there and there were some big performances, not least Cooky with the goals but Tulloch was excellent on the left and caused them real problems.

"Kevin McDonald was also very influential and used his experience to pick out players and relive the pressure. So we're really pleased."