Temporary boss Andy Butler praises professional Doncaster Rovers after FA Cup thrashing of FC United of Manchester

A Josh Sims brace plus goals from Fejiri Okenabirhie, Ben Whiteman and James Coppinger took Rovers out of sight, though Regan Linney did narrow the gap for the energetic hosts.

“It was a professional performance,” Butler said.

“The players did exactly what the gaffer, Sivvy [Jamie Smith] and myself asked them to do.

“Towards the end of the second half there were aspects that we could do better but overall it was a pleasing performance.

“The cameras are here because they believe there is a potential banana skin but credit to the lads because they’ve gone out and done a job as well as they could have done.

“I told them to play as they are - a League One football club coming to a club from further down the pyramid.

“Have a bit of swagger about yourselves, believe in yourselves and have full confidence in how we have approached games like we have all season.

“Do the basics right.”

Butler was asked to take charge of the side on Thursday evening after boss Darren Moore and coaches Jamie Smith and Paul Gerrard were forced into self-isolation after coming into contact with a Covid-19 case earlier in the week.

And the Belles boss relished the opportunity to step into senior men’s football management for the first time.

“I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said.

“The experience I’ve had with the Belles and the Academy has helped me on this journey.

“The gaffer and Sivvy have been on the phone before the game and I’ll speak to them after.

“They let me have free reign on it.

“With a view to Tuesday’s game we made a few substitutions and we gave young Liam Ravenhill a chance.

“It’s a different experience but it’s one I’d like to take plenty from and learn from.

“I just want to keep improving. I’m a young manager myself and I’m speaking to the gaffer and Sivvy every day.

“It can only help me in the future.”

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