The 35-year-old scored two and assisted the other for Kieran Green as the Mariners notched an important win in their pursuit of a top-seven finish.

There was power and finesse in equal measure from Cook to inspire his team to victory, which took them back above their opponents into eighth, a point off the final play-off spot.

Artell said: “He’s been playing very well, and he should’ve had two or three in the last couple of games, but if he keeps getting the chances, then he’ll score goals.

“He’s scored more goals in his career than I’ve had prawn sandwiches, he’s that prolific.

“His first goal was a very good finish, and his second was outstanding as well.

“For his assist, they were complaining it was a foul, but he’s just stronger than their lad, and that is how he is, he runs through defenders at times to score and create goals.

“He deserves all the praise and accolades for his performance today.”

Cook’s first goal had given Grimsby a half-time lead and he helped them double the lead in the 49th minute when he broke through a challenge and cut the ball across goal for Green to tap in.

His first-time strike made it 3-0 in the 58th minute, but the hosts had to withstand a late fightback as Tommi O’Reilly scored from the spot in the 88th minute before Mickey Demetriou headed in a second deep into stoppage time.

Artell added: “I’m not a big believer in the idea of games being ‘six-pointers’, but we understand the significance, and I thought the game was deservedly won by us.

“There wasn’t much football played in the first half, but we were mistake-free and profited off one of their errors to lead at half-time.

“We have to give credit to the lads because they came out quickly for the second half and got the two goals, which made it extremely comfortable before a couple of rash moments at the end.

“That shouldn’t take the gloss off another very good performance and result.”

Crewe boss Lee Bell claimed the decision not to award a foul against Cook in the build-up to the second goal was a defining moment as their play-off push took a hit.

“At half-time there was nothing in the game,” Bell said.

“We made a big error for their first having had the chance to score with the first action of the game.

“That is what we said at half-time, to treat it as if it was 0-0 and not open up too much.

“After the second goal, it’s hard work because they’re a good team, but I don’t know how a foul is not given in the build-up.

“A mistake was all that was in it from that point, so that changes the whole game.”