MARK Bonner admits Gillingham will have their work cut out keeping a lid on Andy Cook.

City’s 34-year-old birthday boy has been in scintillating form in front of goal – and the Kent side are on full alert.

“He’s just excellent at crosses,” said Gills chief Bonner. “You have to stop the supply to him and try and get control of him in the box.

“You might have seen the goal he scored against Newport on Sky the other week. He holds everybody off and scores a header that’s from behind him to loop it over in the top corner.

“Even under contact he’s a difficult one.

“He’s certainly started the season flying. If you’re a striker and you’re sitting on seven goals now, you’re fairly happy and we have to defend really well against him.”

Gillingham head for BD8 keen to end a run of three straight losses which saw them slip from top spot.

They will also be without experienced keeper Glenn Morris who came off with a hamstring injury in last week’s home defeat to Accrington.

Bonner added: “Some of your best days in football often come about in the bigger stadiums and atmospheres.

“This is one of the biggest but obviously we got a brilliant result at Notts County, another club with an excellent stadium.

Armani Little put Gillingham in front last week but they lost againArmani Little put Gillingham in front last week but they lost again (Image: PA)

“I know many of the players have played there before and hopefully we can back up that Notts result, which was a really good one on the road.

“These are games you should really relish as a player because it’s a historical club and more importantly a big stadium with really good atmosphere.

“The pitch is in much better nick than the last time we would have been there.

“It’s a good challenge for us on the back of a difficult couple of weeks against a team who have found good form and have built a really good squad.

“I’m sure they will be there or thereabouts throughout the season.”