Cooke hails Blackpool's show of character

The Seasiders had trailed three times at the Keepmoat Stadium but goals from Sean Longstaff, Oli Turton and Cooke gave Gary Bowyer’s players their first point on the road this season.

Cooke clinched a point with 13 minutes remaining, moments after Alfie May had fired the home side in front.

However, from the kick-off, Blackpool kept possession well and did not allow their hosts a touch of the ball before Cooke sidefooted a first-time finish past Doncaster keeper Ian Lawlor from Longstaff’s pass.

It was the 20-year-old’s first goal for the club since joining on a season-long loan move from Middlesbrough.

“I’m lost for words a bit really,” Cooke said afterwards.

“I think the lads showed great character to score three goals away from home and to come from behind three times.

“The third goal was a great move that shows the quality in the squad.

“Like I said, the character shown by the lads was tremendous and it’s a great point away from home.”

Cooke had not been named in Bowyer’s starting line-up but found himself coming off the bench after 20 minutes.

He came on for Mark Cullen, whose involvement was curtailed by a hamstring injury which flared up just as the striker was through on goal.

It meant Cooke was pushed into an advanced role playing off Kyle Vassell but he admitted the manner of his involvement proved somewhat bittersweet.

“It came as a surprise,” he said of his early introduction on Saturday.

“It’s unfortunate for Cully because you don’t like seeing fellow professionals get injured.

“He (Bowyer) just said ‘go in there and change the game,’ and, thankfully, I had a bit of an impact on the game.”

The point sets up Blackpool for a run of three consecutive home games with Saturday’s match against Oldham Athletic followed by the Checkatrade Trophy tie with Wigan Athletic next Tuesday and AFC Wimbledon’s visit on September 2.

“Three goals away from home and you should win but it wasn’t to be,” Cooke said.

“A point is a point and it is better than nothing so we have to go again next week.”