Why Andy Butler puts his boots on to help Doncaster Rovers out of slump

Butler had questioned his side’s character during their miserable nine-game winless run.

The 37-year-old even named himself in the side for the first time since taking charge, but stressed the upturn in performance wasn’t down to his inclusion as goals from former Shrewsbury striker Fejiri Okenabirhie and Taylor Richards ended their five-game losing streak.

“That was more like us, and the lads put in an incredible shift today,” beamed Butler.

“That’s what has been missing in the last few games, and now there are smiling faces in the dressing room.

“I don’t think the answer was me, every player put in a performance today and if anything they carried me through 90 minutes. I thought it was the right time to get the boots on. I know I said I was retiring for the foreseeable future, but things happen in life and when you put them back on it feels like you’ve never been away.

“I can’t take anything from the other players though, they have applied themselves today, something I’ve been asking them to do for a few weeks.”

Okenabirhie came back to haunt his former club with a cool finish in the 15th minute.

He then turned provider as he slipped in Brighton loanee Richards to rifle home the second in the 80th minute.

Shrewsbury: Sarkic, Pennington, Ebanks-Landell, Williams (Walker, 45), Ogbeta, Davis, Norburn, Vela, Whalley, Chapman, Udoh (Caton, 77). Unused substitutes: Burgoyne, Edwards, Main, Love, Sears.

Doncaster: Balcombe, Wright, Butler, Anderson, James, Bostock, Smith, Coppinger (John-Jules, 62), Richards (Williams, 89), Sims (Lokilo, 74), Okenabirhie. Unused substitutes: Jones, Horton, Greaves, John.

Referee: A Davies (Hampshire).

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