Wembley pain can help Shrewsbury, says boss Paul Hurst

Town have lost all four of their previous visits to the national stadium, including last month’s 1-0 defeat against Lincoln in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Hurst is sure that the heartache experienced against the Imps last month will stand his side in good stead.

The League One manager of the season wants his charges to be spurred on by the opportunity to re-write the record books.

“You could argue we’ve had a bad experience there this season. But I wouldn’t say the ones before will play on players’ minds,” said Hurst, who represented the Millers for 15 years between 1993 and 2008.

“I’ve said right from the start that it can only stand us in good stead because they’ve played there. The crowd will be similar-ish, it might be a bit bigger but not loads.

“From that point of view it’s ‘been there, done it’ and, if anything, I think it should spur the players on.

“I’d love to be able to promise to change that record but we’re up against a very good side, as you’d expect in a play-off final.”

Town have sold more than 9,500 tickets, with Rotherham shifting more than 10,000 in their first day of general sale.

Hurst, who is pitting his wits against former Millers team-mate Paul Warne, wants to give the supporters that have backed his side this season something in return.

“People were talking about (Town taking) 20,000. We’ll see,” added the Town chief.

“It’s still a big, big difference from Checkatrade. I know some people boycotted that, some people aren’t bothered about that competition.

“I’ve heard some people say this is one of the biggest games in the club’s history if not the biggest. I find that hard to believe in some ways, albeit it’s a big game.

“It does seem a bit more positive. I understand what people are saying about the curse but it makes me smile.”