A first half hattrick by Andy Cook helped rampant Bradford City to a 4-1 victory over Stevenage at Valley Parade on Tuesday evening.

In an entertaining match, the former Mansfield Town striker was outstanding as the Bantams ended Boro's excellent start to the season by inflicting their first defeat in four games.

The well-travelled 30-year-old made it 1-0 only two minutes after kick-off when he headed in a Liam Ridehalgh cross to open his account for the season.

Lee Angol could have doubled the lead six minutes later after Elliot Watt fed him in the box but his effort brushed the side netting.

Elliot List levelled to make it 1-1 on 17 minutes with a fine finish following a Luke Norris knock-down, as the Boro striker beat City keeper Richard O'Donnell after Derek Adams side failed to clear their lines.

In a hectic opening Angol went close again before Alex Gillead drove into the box turning Ben Coker before angling a low drive across Joseph Anang's goal on 21 minutes.

It wasn't all one way traffic as Bantams netminder O'Donnell proved equal to List's shot as Boro attempted to make inroads at an atmospheric Valley Parade.

Referee Martin Coy awarded a penalty to the home side as we neared the half hour mark after Luther James Wildin brought down Charles Vernam. Only for the busy Anang to save well from former Leyton Orient attacker Angol, much to the delight of the 101 travelling Stevenage fans in a total attendance of 14,257.

However, from the resulting corner taken by Callum Cooke, Bradford's striker Cook grabbed his second to make it 2-1.

Cook then sealed his treble with seven minutes remaining of a breathless first half with a sublime finish.

Finn Cousin-Dawson sent the lively forward through for a one-on-one with Anang. Cook didn't disappoint with a wonderful glimpse of flair that saw him calmly lift the ball over the onrushing Boro keeper to make it 3-1, as the crowd erupted in joy at his feat.

To make matters worse, Boro captain Scott Cuthbert was replaced by Luke Prosser six minutes before the interval.

It could have been four moments before half time when left-back Ridehalgh fired wide with many in the crowd thinking it had beaten Anang before Coy blew for the break with Boro reeling.

Elliot Osborne replaced Chris Lines early in the second half after Saturday's hero picked up a knock, as Charlie Carter moved to the left side of midfield.

The home side continued to dominate with Anang making a full length save to deny Cook a fourth goal of a memorable evening.

There was still time for that elusive fourth goal when Bantams captain Niall Canavan headed past Anang late on to send the impressively vociferous crowd home happy.

Yet, as the clock ticked down on a deflating evening for Stevenage, you couldn't help but recall a previous clash in West Yorkshire between the two sides. Namely Boro's miserable 3-1 defeat in February 2020, that left them rock bottom and without a prayer, prior to the pandemic that changed everything.

Fast forward 18 months it should be underlined that a resurgent Boro under the progressive Revell are shaping up to have a good season. Despite this chastening defeat.