Ben Davies today insisted the removal of the captain’s armband will not affect his Shrewsbury Town form in the end-of-season run-in.

Davies was replaced as skipper by Graham Coughlan for last night’s 1-1 draw with high-riding Exeter at the Prostar Stadium, a result that took them out of the play-off places.

The former Chester man has led Town for 14 months, but has vowed to take the decision of manager Paul Simpson on the chin.

“I’m disappointed to have it taken off me but the gaffer wants me to concentrate on my game, get my head down and keep scoring goals and setting goals up – so hopefully I can do that,” said Davies.

“The gaffer has made the decision and you stand by it. It’s a team game – it’s not about the individual so I will be fully behind Coughs and the gaffer’s decision.

“You get your head around it and concentrate on getting us into the play-offs or the top three.

“If it was going to go to anyone, Coughs was probably the stand-out choice. Me and all the lads are fully behind him so hopefully he will lead us up to promotion.”

Simpson insisted Davies still has a major part to play in the remainder of the Town’s stuttering season.

“I just felt as though Ben needed that responsibility taken away from him,” he added.

“I want him in the side and performing to the levels he was earlier in the season – and if taking the captain’s armband off him helps, then great.

“Graham Coughlan is a captain-type character. We have others in there as well but I felt he was the right one to take us on.”

Simpson, meanwhile, hailed an improved display from his side last night – but admitted he was disappointed with some boos from the stands at full time.

“The way we have gone about it, we deserved to get more than just a point out of the game,” he added.

“I was disappointed with their goal but there was a helluva lot of good things and a much, much improved performance – not only from the two away defeats but also the last two home games where we have won.

“I was disappointed with the reaction of the crowd at the end of the game.

“The feeling we got inside the changing room was that they came last night baying for some blood.

“Unfortunately, we have allowed them to boo us off at the end when I don’t think the performance deserved booing off. Saturday did, but last night definitely didn’t.”

By JAMES GARRISON