Player ratings and match stats from Rotherham United 3 Shrewsbury Town 3
‘A master craftsman. Both finishes were beautiful in their different ways.’
Paul Davis gives his verdict on League Two events at AESSEAL New York Stadium as the 10-man home side gave up a 2-0 lead but fought back to earn a point.
Millers (4-3-3)
Julian Eyestone: 5
Made a superb save and set up Paul Mullin's opener with a route-one clearance. However, that was possibly his only effective kick, and he needs to sort out his handling when he's under pressure. He's a young lad with plenty of potential, but there are too many spills right now.
Joe Rafferty: 7
Plays the percentages and nearly always does the right thing. His experience has added something since his recall to the side. The way he fouled Kian McMahon-Brown and then managed to get the Shrewsbury man sent off was clever, dark-arts, old-head play.
Denzel Hall: 7
Played in the middle of the back four and he looked very comfortable and in control there. Didn't waste the ball and he used his pace well.
Dominic Iorfa: 7
Have a very decent game until a knock to the head forced him off.
Kieran Ngwenya: 6
Some solid moments, some others when his touch was a bit heavy. A mixed bag. Good and bad things.
Kian Spence: 6
He was having an impact - and helped to set up Mullin's second goal - before the first red card of his career, for swipe on Will Gray. No complaints, really. He's an honest lad, but his foot was high and he missed the ball he was trying to win while he was on the ground.
Jayce Fitzgerland: 8
The teenage loanee is rapidly growing into the men's game. Very influential again. Can control the ball, can run with the ball and can win the ball. That's not a bad skillset. There is vision in his play, and, physically, he has the robustness to handle League Two. Could end the season as one of the division's standout players.
Josh Austerfield: 6
Worked hard, was always hunting for the ball. Not his best display but an important one.
Aaron Nemane: 7
The little winger has sprung to life after a quiet-ish start to his Rotherham career. Dances past opponents and has a real burst of pace over a short distance. Earned himself an assist here. He's a big asset in this kind of form. Had to curb his attacking instincts after Spence's dismissal.
Paul Mullin: 8
A master craftsman. Both finishes were beautiful in their different ways. He put in a real shift as well. He's the joint second-top scorer in the fourth tier, and he'll pass the 30 mark if he continues in this vein. Fans are warming to a hitman who has guile that many strikers lack.
Jili Buyabu: 6
A threat on the left flank until he had to be sacrificed for a more defensive option when the Millers' numbers were reduced.
The subs
Brandon Cover (for Buyabu 27): 6
Covered the ground and made a nuisance of himself, although some of his play was a little lacking in quality.
Sonny Aljofree (for Iorfa 45+17): 6
A bit more physical assertion from the big young man and he'll be just fine.
Tom Bradshaw (for Mullin 62): 7
A first goal in open play since he became a Miller. It was a lovely header, too. Not an easy chance to take.
Brandon Williams (for Nemane 62): 6
Put in a great tackle, had a couple of dodgy touches. He had to play on the right flank rather than his preferred left when Nemane was spent. Good to see him playing after his troubles. More to come from him, we all hope.
Not used: Ted Cann, Kane Richardson, Klaidi Lolos.
Shrewsbury (3-4-1-2): Will Brook 7; Sam Stubbs 6, Will Boyle 7, Josh Ruffels 7; Arkell Jude-Boyd 7, Tom Sang 6, Will Gray 7, Kevin Berkoe 6; Kian McMahon-Brown 6; George Lloyd 6 (Michael Golding 45+11, 6), Josh Davison 7. Subs not used: Cameron Gregory, Isaac Lee, Lino Sousa, Joseph Gbode, Jeval Thompson-McKenzie, Hugo Aiston.
Goals: Mullin 15, 18, Bradshaw 76 (Rotherham); Davison 23, Ruffels 59, Boyle 67 (Shrewsbury)
Referee: James Oldham (Derbyshire)
Attendance: 7,562 (697)
Opposition view
"The second half was just about staying patient and waiting for opportunities to present themselves. We did it brilliantly, but we needed to do it more. You go 3-2 up and you really think it's going to be a positive day. I felt we were a little bit naïve after that. 'Arrogant' is the wrong word, but we stopped doing what we'd been doing. Rotherham started jumping out a bit more and taking a few chances. I felt we could have bypassed them and gone on to score more goals. Instead, we played backwards. The momentum changed. The message was: 'Keep being brave.'"
- Shrews boss Gavin Cowan
The stats
Possession: Millers 34 per cent, Shrews 66
Goal attempts: Millers 10, Shrews 19
On target: Millers 5, Shrews 7
Touches in opposition box: Millers 16, Shrews 40
Corners: Millers 4, Shrews 8
Fouls committed: Millers 13, Shrews 13
Final word
The 10 men stepped up and the crowd appreciated it. A memorable day at New York.