Paul Hurst worried about 'run down' Shrewsbury Town players after Rotherham defeat
Paul Hurst is worried about the welfare of some of his Shrewsbury Town squad after they fell to a second successive Montgomery Waters Meadow defeat.
Rotherham ensured that Hurst did not complete a double against his former side by claiming a 1-0 victory in Shropshire thanks to a Richard Wood goal just before half-time after Dean Henderson's error.
The Millers made it back-to-back home defeats for Town, who were previously so strong on home soil this season, after Plymouth left with the spoils last week.
But Hurst admitted selecting a team for the game was tough due to members of his squad being 'run down' after a tough run of fixtures. The boss is concerned ahead of another testing fixture with Gillingham the visitors on Tuesday.
His response to the early substitution of Jon Nolan was: "There are quite a lot of the lads who are run down with illness. I wasn't sure until half past one today what the team was going to be.
"I'd have it my head what I want. A few of them being out there, I'm now concerned about what they're going to be like for Tuesday but we'll have to worry about that over the next couple of days.
"I do welcome another game providing I've got players that are fit and able to give what is required to win a game of football.
"Our energy levels have got to be right up there. They make it difficult to play against. Gillingham have done fantastically well since Steve Lovell has taken over there."
Town remain top but just one point ahead of Wigan, who did not play today and have two games in hand. Blackburn can rise above Town with a draw or more against Bury on Monday.
Hurst was frustrated after his side came out on the wrong time of a poor spectacle at the Meadow, full of stoppages and niggly fouls.
He thought the Millers' winning goal was poor and an error from goalkeeper Henderson.
“It’s a poor one," the Town boss added.
“It’s a wrong decision and it’s a tap-in. People have had a lot of credit throughout the season and if things go the other way you have to be able to take things on the chin and move on from it.
“I don’t think it was a spectacle for anyone.
“The Rotherham fans will go home happy and understandable so because it keeps their run going and it’s another good victory for them.
“You can see why they’re winning games because they are very hard to play against, a big threat from set-plays and a physical side that don’t give you time on the ball.
“I think we try and do things similar, but today they were better at that side of the game.
“We’ve had the best chance with Shaun Whalley, but there’s no doubt that we had to withstand pressure and we looked a little bit edgy.
“Second-half I thought we had a go, but ultimately they make it difficult. Nathan probably had the best chance where the keeper's made another good save."
