DANNY Hylton says he is enjoying being given added freedom by Oxford United boss Michael Appleton to cause other teams problems.

The 25-year-old came off the bench to score at Bristol City and Mansfield Town, earning a first start in midweek.

Playing in a flexible role around striker Carlton Morris at Morecambe, he was effective when dropping deep to link play and also got forward to help lead the line.

Hylton’s preference is to play as high up the pitch as possible, but United’s No 10, voted man-of-the-match by U’s fans on the Oxford Mail website, revelled in the role on Tuesday.

He said: “My favourite position is up front.

“I have played behind the striker before, but the gaffer has given me the freedom to do both.

“I enjoyed it, so I’m happy.”

Hylton, who is likely to continue in the role against Portsmouth tomorrow, was frustrated not to make it three goals in as many games this week after coming close at the Globe Arena.

After seeing one header tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Barry Roche, he saw another effort cleared off the line from the corner.

Hylton and Roche were also involved in the game’s main talking point when, 15 minutes from time, the forward tumbled in the area as he took the ball past the stopper.

But to United’s surprise, the referee decided against awarding a penalty and dismissing Roche, instead booking Hylton for diving.

The former Aldershot hitman said: “I’m an honest person and don’t dive, he definitely brought me down and the keeper said to me in the game it was a penalty.

“There’s no reason to go down, I like to think I’m going to run on to that and tap it in.”

United’s big problem so far this season has been converting chances.

Hylton’s penalty against Mansfield is their only goal in three league games.

He will be looking to add to his tally against Portsmouth, but is equally keen to lay on opportunities for others.

He said: “In the time I’m on the pitch I’ll give 100 per cent to try and create and score as many as I can.

“Whether it’s myself scoring, or I do something to help someone else score it’s about the team, so let’s look forward to Saturday.”

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