Lewis Cox analysis from Wembley: Shrewsbury Town story missing its fairytale ending

Only this time they thought it might be their time. After so much Wembley heartbreak, they felt this team would be the one to banish the record, to reverse the curse.

It was not to be.

It gets no easier. Yesterday’s League One play-off final, billed the biggest game in the club’s history, was perhaps the toughest yet. Especially for manager Paul Hurst, going up against a club where he is a legend.

Shrewsbury were on terms at the end of 90 minutes but could not find another leveller to force a penalty shootout.

A return to the second tier for the first time in 29 years was not to be as Rotherham were left partying long into the night following their 2-1 win.

The Millers were the victors on the day. Like they were 22 years ago as Town first lost at the national stadium. That time it was under the twin towers. Since then it has been joy for Bristol Rovers, Gillingham and most recently Lincoln – just last month.

Hurst’s plucky underdogs have fought and fought all season. It is incredible – and rather humbling – to remember they were tipped as relegation fodder. Backed to fail.

This group of players gave everything across 62 games. Right up until the 120th minute at the death, when there was simply nothing left in the tank.

With all substitutes used up by 70 minutes, Shrewsbury players were cramping up all over the energy-sapping surface on a sticky, muggy day.

Hurst admitted afterwards it made things difficult for his team to really push, particularly after the equaliser.

There are few words to describe the heartache the players felt leaving Wembley last night. Many of them were too upset to speak to the press, those that did could not put it into words.

Who knows what the future holds for the in-demand Hurst? Ipswich Town have bided their time to speak to the Town chief, who has really made a name for himself. The coming days and weeks will shine a light on where Shrewsbury go from here.

But the boss will be bitterly disappointed that his players did not heed the set-piece warning. Captain Richard Wood, one of the obvious threats, netted both Millers goals. He also scored the winner at Montgomery Waters Meadow in February.

Shrewsbury fans – and boy they did themselves proud in the capital yesterday – can hold their heads high and be proud of the thrills this group have given them. The final prize was not meant to be.

The Shrewsbury end was a sea of glorious blue and amber to welcome the players as they warmed up, but the decibels cranked right up come 3pm as both sides were given an unbelievable welcome for the biggest game of their season.

A crowd of 26,218 may have been the lowest in this final’s 31-year history, but those in attendance gave the roaring atmosphere everything they had.

Hurst must have felt strange. The first sighting of him was in a suit. On the stroke of kick-off he found time to quick-change into his preferred tracksuit. Superstitious Hurst was willing to trust in every omen.

Barely a few feet from Hurst, to his right, was his former Millers team-mate Paul Warne. Behind him was No.2 Richie Barker and Mike Pollitt, more ex-United colleagues.

Rotherham legend or not, Hurst knew where his loyalties and allegiance lay for the next 90 minutes and beyond.

Even Dean Henderson, in his final game for the club, could not quite keep Rotherham at bay with his heroics. They included a penalty save early on after Omar Beckles was clumsy on Wood, some more routine stops before a staggering 94th-minute effort to keep out Ryan Williams.

Moments later the red end of Wembley erupted. Town did not learn their lesson as Joe Newell swung in another corner. Wood won another header. This time Henderson could not save his team.

Hurst faced the team talk of his life against his former employers as Town’s Wembley curse looked like continuing.

The blue and amber Army raised the volume levels for their side and Salop found their feet. Hurst waited barely nine minutes to send for Stefan Payne from the bench.

But the leveller came from another source. It was Rodman, who missed out on a start through injury last month, to profit from the silkiest of short free-kicks. Shaun Whalley passed it into skipper Mat Sadler in the box.

Sadler’s deft pass was inch-perfect for Rodman who kept his composure to squeeze home. Town’s first Wembley goal in more than 300 minutes since Stuart Drummond’s 2007 header against Bristol Rovers.

Town fans celebrated it in style. It was worth the wait. But shortly after, while in the ascendancy, Town were dealt a blow as Carlton Morris limped off injured. Shortly after James Bolton hobbled off. With Lenell John-Lewis and Joe Riley on, Hurst had used all his subs.

That Hurst had no more options to call on had a big impact on Shrews hopes. The boss had nowhere else to turn. With 70 minutes on the clock – with extra time to come – even Hurst’s ultra-fit physical specimens were sapped of energy and cramping up. Real momentum was short-lived.

The first half of extra time was almost a non-event. Players were down injured on a warm, sticky day. Town’s legs had gone but they defended manfully until the 103rd minute.

It was another Newell delivery as John-Lewis was caught napping, leaving Wood all alone to guide home at the back post.

There was no coming back from this. Town tried to rally but the tank was empty.

It is the cruel nature of sport that a miracle season, such a fairytale campaign, was lost in extra time in the 49th game of the league campaign.

It is even worse to stomach that a corner and a free-kick cost Shrewsbury.

It is a shame that Town could not give a true reflection of themselves – again.

The first half was poor., there is no escaping that. They can’t use tiredness or cramp as a factor there. Warne’s Rotherham were quicker, sharper and better all over the park.

They had to improve after the break and they did. The goal was a lovely moment. A snapshot of Hurst’s team; inventive, sharp, brave and creative.

Thoughts naturally move on to a summer of uncertainty. Shrewsbury can build on this season if the summer is done properly. Repeating it will be nigh-on impossible. But they have to build.

The next step is cementing yourself as a competitive League One presence. Not just living by surviving.

The speculation regarding Hurst’s future will gather more column inches. Ipswich reportedly want their man.

Then it is over to the Yorkshireman.

What does he think is best for himself, his family, his future career?

Ipswich are leading the way at the moment, Derby may emerge as suitors too.

It seems wrong to sign off on the most wonderful of seasons with speculation regarding Hurst’s future.

It has been a whirlwind season of the biggest highs. And this is a horrible low.

Ultimately it was not their year. The final chapter in the fairytale was missing its blue and amber ending.