AFC Wimbledon's forgotten man Richard Butler made an astonishing return to first- team action on Tuesday, scoring with his first touch.

Butler, 21, made a goalscoring return to action in the 5-2 success at Leyton on Tuesday night, his first appearance since October.

Overcoming the groin injury that had threatened to finish his season, Butler added to Steve Ferguson's brace and headers from Roscoe Dsane and Lee O'Leary.

Leyton also had two players sent off, but their lack of discipline could not take the gloss off a fine Dons performance, which gave their fans even more to celebrate the day after an 18-point deduction was slashed to just three by an FA appeal.

Striker Butler, who was greeted with rapturous applause by the Dons faithful after coming on Tuesday, admits it was a great feeling to make a goalscoring return.

"It was good to get that ovation - it's always nice to know that the fans like you and you re still wanted at a club," said Butler.

"It is a great feeling to score on my return - it has been a long road back, but it was worth it.

"The goal was a bit lucky. It was the first and last touch I had. I think their lack of numbers at the back, by going down to nine men, helped me."

Butler had staked his claim for a first-team recall by bagging a hat-trick for the reserves last week.

And he was selected as a sub by boss Dave Anderson after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Hampton & Richmond, which saw debutant O'Leary sent off for a high tackle.

Butler said: "I still feel a bit off the pace but it is going to take at least five or six games to get match fit.

"Hopefully, I can get a couple more games in the reserves to work on my fitness."

Butler's insists the Dons can now go on and secure promotion into the Conference South after Monday's decision.

"We were delighted with the verdict - it is blinding news for the club," said Butler.

"If we can pick up maximum points from our next three or four games then we should be there or thereabouts.

"In this league a lot of the top teams can slip up so we have still got a big chance of winning it - if not finishing in the play offs."

AFC Wimbledon host Slough Town on Saturday.

coverage that countED: All the stories on the Dons' successful appeal against their 18-point deduction at yourlocalguardian.co.uk.