Vassell: We can't just rely on Danny Hylton

The 24-goal marksman, who has been Town's undoubted stellar performer this year, was missing from Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Colchester with a tight hamstring.

In his absence, Hatters produced an awful first half performance, in which they trailed 2-0, before improving after the break, although Vassell's late strike was to prove scant consolation.

The former Truro City attacker was paired upfront alongside Jack Marriott and then Ollie Palmer, as he said: “We do miss Hylts a little bit, but we should be able to deal with teams without Hylts.

“We can’t always rely on one player, so should be able to deal with teams regardless of personnel.”

Defender Scott Cuthbert was even thrust upfront too late on, as Vassell continued: “He’s an aerial threat so we push him forward when we’re behind in the games. It's a bit of a weird one, but he's good in the air, so that’s why he’s up there.”

Hylton had been expecting to play after going off at half time during the 1-1 draw with Newport in midweek, but boss Nathan Jones admitted the risk was too great.

He wasn't sure that even with their leading scorer, who was nominated for the League Two Player of the Year award yesterday, they would have done much better in that first period, adding: "We were keeping him out of training so he’d be fit, but it was too much of a risk.

“So rather than play him for one and he misses out for seven, we missed him for one and hopefully have him for seven.

“But look, I’m not sure he could have done much more in the first half anyway in that kind of performance.

“He’s Danny Hylton, he’s not superman. But second half, Danny would have been part of a better team performance and that’s what we have to concentrate on.

“As we have to eradicate that first half and move on with the second half performance and try to get the points we need.”