Shrewsbury stand-in role 'a lot of fun' for Hart

Shrewsbury-born Hart came through the Shropshire club's ranks and featured 58 times for them before being sold to Manchester City as a 19-year-old in 2006, a deal that was eventually worth £1.5m.

What convinced him to once again wear the Shrewsbury kit was the chance to help 22-year-old Matthew Cox, who is on loan at Shrewsbury from Premier League side Brentford, and substitute goalkeeper Will Brook.

Asked if it was surreal to have the club badge on his chest again, Hart said: "It is, but my life's been surreal - the whole thing.

"When the opportunity came and they asked, I put myself forward to be there for Coxie and Will tonight.

"I'm just absolutely honoured and delighted that I could come and do it and that we enjoyed a successful evening."

Victory at Salford extended Shrewsbury's winning run to five league matches and added to the incredible turnaround under Cowan, who has overseen just one defeat in seven matches since taking the job in late January.

Cowan said it was "a real privilege" to have Hart by his side for the latest victory that moved the club up to 17th in the table and 12 points clear of the relegation places.

"He's a great guy, and to show humility to want to come and help us," Cowan said.

"Me and [assistant manager] David Edwards called on him for a little bit of support and asked if he knew anyone.

"He has volunteered to come in and has been a breath of fresh air. The lads have really taken to him.

"He really wants to come back to his hometown club and offer something if he can. But again, I don't want people to read too much into it. It's just genuinely a mate helping out mates."