Young midfielder James Rowland put in a good performance in what was a disappointing game for Town in the Carabao Cup.
The 17-year-old has progressed through the Town Academy after joining the U14s following his release from West Brom.
He has impressed at all levels through the Academy and was rewarded with his first professional contract at the end of his first year as a scholar last season.
ShrewsWeb spoke to James after the game to get his thoughts on his first 90 minutes of football this season.
"It was good to get out there in front of our fans and it was just disappointing we couldn't get the result for them", said James.
"I thought I had a good pre-season and I was just waiting for the opportunity to come, tonight I gave it a good go and gave it my all.
"I gave it a good go and gave it everything I had, and hopefully that will put me in a good position to keep going on this season."
Cup competitions can be a good chance for young players to play in the first team. Last season James impressed in the CheckaTrade game at Port Vale, and this season it was the Carabao Cup.
"As a young player if you work hard you can get the opportunities and the gaffer has given me mine", said James.
"I got the chance last season at Port Vale in the cup and this evening I got the chance against Rotherham, hopefully there are more chances to come for me.
"To get the chance to start you have to work hard, work hard in training and then hopefully your talent does the talking from there."
James signed his pro-deal towards the end of last season and despite still being in the second-year of his scholarship he's spent the whole of pre-season with the first team.
"It's been really good for me and I feel like I am developing as a player", said James.
"Everyday I go into training trying to get better and trying to push my way into the first team."
The game with Rotherham got off to the worst start possible for Town. The early goals made it a tough task on the night but the side kept going.
"I think it's always going to be difficult if you go 2-0 down in three minutes", said James.
"We had a good go, especially at the end of the first half and in the second half.
"At key moments we probably let ourselves down a little bit and the first two goals were sloppy.
"That put us in a difficult position as you are always climbing from then on.
"Unfortunately we conceded another two but the lads did give it their all."
After the game, James was awarded the Sovereign Club Man of the Match. It was recognition of the performance James had put in and an award he was grateful for.
"It would have been nice to get a win as that's what playing football is all about", said James.
"It was a nice individual note for me to get the man of the match though.
"It's a learning curve for everyone to see the levels we need to be at, and hopefully we can learn from this and get three points on Saturday."