ANDY Cook has lifted the lid on how low he was feeling after the worst goal drought of his City time.

The target man put the seal on Saturday’s battling win at leaders Forest Green with a length-of-the-field finish in stoppage time.

It was Cook’s first goal since the home defeat to Crawley in January – a barren run of eight games.

Having finally scored his 11th of the campaign, Cook revealed how Mark Hughes has got him and City feeling good about themselves again.

“I needed that massively,” he admitted, “it’s been playing on my mind.

“I’m confident in my ability and I’ve had chances in the last couple of games.

“I probably should have scored against Swindon and the keeper pulled off a worldy in the Mansfield game. But before that I can’t even remember having half a chance.

“Before the new gaffer came in, it felt like I was battling two or three men every game.

“If I’m not going to win flick-ons, you look ineffective. I felt isolated, I was getting frustrated.

“It’s not about me but the team winning games but it all helps.

“I think my confidence was shot for a bit but that wasn’t just me. The performances, way we were playing, the results – everyone could see it.

“No point in trying to shy away from that, it was there and plain to see.”

Cook feels the squad have been rejuvenated since Hughes replaced Derek Adams – and the weekend win against the team eight points clear at the top had been coming.

“If that doesn’t give us confidence, then I don’t know what will. But you’ve seen the way the gaffer has got us going.

“He’s had us playing well and maybe we didn’t deserve the last couple of results. That’s in the past now and we needed this win.

“It’s class working with him. There’s nobody better to learn from and I’m enjoying it again.

“We’ve gone to the league leaders, played well and beaten them. Now we want to take it into tomorrow and so on and keep winning games.”

Dion Pereira got his first hour in a City shirt – two months after joining on loan from Luton. Jamie Walker also returned from the bench following a month out.

Hughes can sense a more positive picture as they build up for the final midweek match of the season at Hartlepool.

He said: “We might get a couple back in full training this week but I’m not sure.

“But I think everybody is trying to get back and show what they can do. There’s a real desire to be part of what’s hopefully happening here.

“That’s good from my point of view because everybody wants to play.”