Saturday Night Takeaway: A performance in returning Butler's image as Doncaster Rovers beat ten man Northampton Town

In unexpected circumstances, there was professionalism, composure and confidence to see out the job with little fuss.

And it was the same for Rovers too.

The veteran centre half made his first league start - and only second appearance - since his return to the club in the summer.

And over 90 tough, taxing minutes he never looked like he had missed a beat since his towering performance in the play-off semi-final at Charlton Athletic 18 months ago when he last featured in League One.

Butler helped organise a rejigged Rovers back line, keep minds on jobs and secure the 2-0 triumph on what could easily have been a very tough afternoon indeed.

Northampton pressed Rovers hard from the starting, handing out man marking jobs on both Ben Whiteman and Reece James to stop them from playing.

Just when Rovers seemed to be getting to grips with things, Butler was welcomed back into the fray with a lunge tackle from Shaun McWilliams which saw the Northampton player shown a straight red.

And from there, Rovers largely demonstrated the sort of professionalism akin to their former club captain.

They kept the ball with real patience and composure, rarely rushing their play and waiting for opportunities as they dominated the ball.

It denied the opportunity to see if Moore’s positional tinkering - which saw Brad Halliday played as an attacking midfielder - would have paid off but there was certainly logic in his thoughts against a physical, direct and steadfastly resolute opposition.

Chances were hard to come by against an organised Northampton side who doubled down on their efforts to restrain their visitors once they had gone down to ten men.

But the breakthrough did come around ten minutes before the break.

A block tackle from Joe Wright - shifted to right back for the afternoon - sent the ball rolling through to Tyreece John-Jules who finished with a deft chip that had the Northampton defence scrambling back in a hopeless attempt to keep it out.

John-Jules, on his first start since returning from injury, offered plenty of energy and directness to the Rovers attack, both before and after half time.

After the break, Rovers took full control of the ball with the back four operating on the half way line and the hosts forced deeper and deeper in their defensive efforts.

And the comfort came when Reece James sent in a dangerous cross which Wright turned in from close range after Fraser Horsfall’s failed attempt to block.

Northampton mounted a valiant push to fight their way into the game but Rovers defended stoically, with Butler partnering Tom Anderson to great effect in rebuffing their advances.

There was time for more drama when a James Coppinger shot was adjudged to have hit an arm, presenting Ben Whiteman with a chance from the spot to continue his recent scoring run, only for goalkeeper Steve Arnold to save.

Another goal was ultimately not required as Rovers’ professionalism shone through to see out the win in comfortable fashion.

*

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.