Andy Cooke believes a change of scenery will bring a change of luck.

Cooke was loaned out to Darlington this week and capped his League Two debut with a goal at Peterborough.

The striker, who has scored only twice all season for the Bantams, found the target with a left-foot curler from the side of the box. And he is hoping the move will provide a short-term confidence boost.

"Maybe I needed something like this to kick-start my career again," he said. "It's a bit of a change for me and it's good to be back playing.

"I'm not saying that's it with Bradford but my contract is up at the end of the season and this is an opportunity to be playing games. It's been difficult because I've been in and out but at least by doing this I'm in the window and people can see how I'm doing.

"I've joined for the month but I'm not looking any further than that for now."

Cooke, one of 15 players out of contract at Valley Parade this summer, was initially reluctant to drop down a level but Darlington boss David Hodgson persuaded him to give it a go.

He added: "The manager has been absolutely first class. The things he said to me were spot on and that's what sold it to me. I can't really put my finger on why it hasn't been working for me at Bradford. It happens to a lot of players who go through a sticky patch at certain clubs.

"I was hoping to kick on this season but for some reason or other that has not been the case."

Cooke, due to face his home-town club Shrewsbury today, admitted the midweek game was hardly a classic.

"The conditions weren't the best and Peterborough just hit the ball long all the time. But it was nice to be involved and it's always good for your confidence to get a goal.

"Hopefully I can help Darlington over the next month while also doing myself some good."