For David Cone, it was a gesture of gratitude. Nobody knows for certain how Mike Mussina took it, but Cone made time to talk to Mussina before the Yankees’ 7-2 victory over the Red Sox yesterday.

The two met in a hallway outside the Yankees clubhouse and had a brief chat about their electric matchup last Sunday night in Boston. Mussina came one strike away from hurling a perfect game, but had it ruined by Boston pinch-hitter Carl Everett.

Some thought the media-savvy Cone might impart some wisdom to Mussina, who has seemed to struggle with the media limelight in his first season in New York.

“I wouldn’t say it was an advice-type of a conversation,” Cone said. “But I just wanted to tell him how much I appreciated the game we had together.

“I wanted to let him know that I could identify with how he felt, probably as much as anybody.”

Cone, who nearly matched Mussina pitch for pitch that night, knows the feeling of a near-miss. The 38-year-old Boston right-hander said he had a no-hitter broken up in the ninth in Toronto in 1995.

Reportedly, Mussina seemed unwilling or unable to celebrate his one-hitter with teammates last week, and The Post reported a congratulatory phone call from George Steinbrenner was cut short by the righty.

“My reaction after it got broken up was almost identical,” Cone said of his near-miss in ’95. “I just tried to tell him don’t let the best game of his career become a negative.

“He seemed pretty good. I understand how he feels. There’s a letdown when you get that close.”

Cone left New York, but still understands how tough an adjustment it can be for a newcomer. Mussina began the season 12-11 but has won his last three starts. The two have always had a good relationship, according to Cone.

“I think things will get better, I really do,” Cone said.