Newcastle goal 'a dream come true' for Cook

Andy Cook's goal against Newcastle was his 88th for Bradford City

Bradford City striker Andy Cook said scoring at boyhood side Newcastle United had left him speechless.

The veteran, 34, recently returned from an ACL injury and came off the bench to claim his side's consolation goal in a 4-1 defeat by the Carabao Cup holders.

Cook, from Bishop Auckland in County Durham, is a lifelong Magpies fan and had never previously played at St James' Park.

"It's what dreams are made of. Everyone knows the situation I've had with my injury and getting back to play," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

"Just to get on the pitch tonight was a dream come true and to get a goal has left me speechless.

"I was buzzing to come on. I'm desperate for minutes, the team is doing well so I have got to bide my time.

"My family and friends were all here tonight, some of my mates in the home end. It's an absolute privilege to play out here."

The Bantams striker hammered home a loose ball off the underside of the crossbar from 18 yards to reduce the score to 3-1 to the Premier League side, before Will Osula's second restored the Magpies' three-goal lead late on.

Cook, who is now the club's outright fourth-highest goalscorer with 88 goals, said looking back on the strike was a blur.

"The ball hit us and I saw some of their players claiming for handball but it just happened so fast," he added.

"It just dropped perfectly and I thought 'hit it' and when it hit the bar I thought is it going to go in and I was over the moon when it did.

"I was buzzing to score. To get a goal at St James' Park is unbelievable."

Graham Alexander's men have made a superb start to the League One season after winning promotion from League Two last season.

The West Yorkshire side are top of the division after nine games and Cook, who said he "screamed his house down" when Bradford got drawn against Eddie Howe's side, believes they can take more confidence from their showing against a Champions League outfit.

"Everyone knows what Newcastle are about they are at the top end of the Premier League and I thought we stood our ground well," he said.

"Obviously they are sharp going forward and they showed that but we can hold our heads high and be proud."