Micky Mellon hails Andy Cook’s remarkable performance

Tranmere Rovers manager Micky Mellon expressed his delight after striker Andy Cook found the net four times to help his side come from behind to secure an important three points against Gateshead at Prenton Park.
Mellon’s side got off to a disastrous start, falling two goals behind through goals from from Wesley York and Scott Barrow. However, Rovers were rescued by a remarkable goal scoring display from Cook.
The 27-year-old’s first goal arrived on the stroke of half time when he did well to latch onto Adam Buxton‘s cross before firing home from inside the six yard box.
Cook leveled the scores in superb fashion on the hour mark when he hit a low effort past The Tynesiders’ keeper James Montgomery from 15-yards-out, before completing his hat-rick seven minutes later, heading home from close range.
The former Barrow man then rounded off his goal scoring exploits to net his 24th league goal of the campaign by cleverly diverting Ollie Norburn’s effort into the bottom corner.
Last night marked the first time that a Tranmere player had found the net four times in one game since club legend John Aldridge did so in 1994.
After the match, Mellon told Tranmere’s official club website, “I think in the second half, that is as good a striking performance as I’ve seen in a long time.
“It had everything in it, he led the line incredibly well, every time he touched the ball the next touch was a Tranmere player.
“Being in the right place at the time time is not down to luck. You don’t score as many goals as Cookie has and just be lucky, he knows where the back of the net is.”
Victory allowed Tranmere to leapfrog Sutton United into second position in the National League table after The U’s fell to a disappointing defeat at FC Halifax due to a last minute Ben Tomlinson goal.
Mellon’s side will be looking to keep up their momentum when they face Aldershot at Prenton Park on Saturday.