Club captain Andy Butler feels the experience of the Sky Bet League One play-offs can drive the Rovers squad on to improve next season following a tough penalty shoot-out defeat at The Valley on Friday night.
Rovers won 3-2 on the night, levelling the aggregate scores at 4-4, though it would be heartbreak for Grant McCann’s men with a 4-3 shoot-out defeat to the Addicks, but Butler believes the side’s performance showed great character to take it all the way.
“We weren’t afraid to do what we’d done all season, the goal in the first couple of minutes could’ve killed us and we could’ve rolled over, that shows the character we have in this team and that we thrived on the pressure,” he said.
“A lot of credit has to go to the younger players in the squad too, it’s easy to be overawed by games like this and be under pressure but they really showed what they’re about, they really do have bright futures ahead of them.
“You look back and there are so many moments that we can be proud of, not just tonight but the whole season, we’ll put a brave face on and move on now to the next challenge that comes our way, whatever that may be.”
Butler’s 88th minute header sent the game at The Valley into extra time, much to the delight of the 1,351 travelling supporters at the other end of the pitch, and the defender says it was the goal was a proud moment for him, as well as thanking the fans for their backing.
“It was a fantastic feeling getting the goal, it was a great ball in and all I could do really was head it down, it silenced their fans and got our backs up too, we gave it our all to do it but hopefully everyone associated with the club can be proud,” he added.
“Everything is pointing in the right direction, but we just can’t get carried away, everything we’ve done this season, we’ll take that into the next, the fans have been brilliant all season too and we wanted to thank them for their support.
“I saw a few friends in the away end after the game and they were so pleased with how we’d played, that’s all we can do, it’s been an exciting time, this is a club close to my heart, close to my door, and I’m immensely proud to be a part of Doncaster Rovers.”
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