Two goals in the first five minutes from Jamie Walker and Charles Vernam set the tone for a 2-1 win over bottom club Scunthorpe.

The doomed Iron only mustered an effort on target in the final 10 minutes – but were gifted an own goal by Alex Bass.

Hughes said: “We were excellent first half – as good as we have been in an attacking sense.

“The goal we conceded, which was pure bad luck, took the wind out of our sails. Second half we went a little bit too safe in our play rather than taking chances and getting forward.

“We were never under any real pressure. I think they had two opportunities – the goal itself and a header that Alex saved.

“Apart from that, we had 26 attempts on goal. That illustrates the dominance but clearly at 2-1, there’s a little bit of a concern just in case one of those ricochets or balls into the box falls to the wrong person.

“We got over the line, not in the manner we wanted, but it’s a win and it’s been a long time at Valley Parade. We’ve been able to get that off our backs and we’ll be better for it.

“We should be encouraged by the level of play we produced in the first half, second half less so. But that’s understandable given we haven’t won for a while here.”

Vernam also hit the bar and Lee Angol, starting his first game since January, was denied by a brilliant save in a one-sided first half. Hughes agreed that City were almost trying too hard to score.

“That can happen,” he added. “It was just they were enjoying the play we were able to produce.

“There were so many different movements and interplay between players, they were enjoying playing to such a good level.

“What we have to do is two 45s like the first one and not have that concern in the back of our minds that we concede late on, which we have done and paid the price for that.

“We weren’t to be denied. We didn’t offer any encouragement to the opposition.

“I’m pleased that for a good part of the game we showed what we are capable of.”

Angol, who came in for Andy Cook, played just over an hour following three sub appearances since his most recent hamstring injury.

Hughes said: "He was just stretching off so we weren’t going to take any risks. I thought he was excellent and gave us that link and focal point to our attacking play that we could work of.

“He’ll get better and stronger and then he’ll be more sound for us.

“Andy has put in a hell of a shift for us. He’s had no respite.

“He’s played every game I’ve been here apart from today, so he was due a break. Other guys have had breaks and come back stronger and I’m sure Andy will.”