The striker received his marching orders with 15 minutes to go at Spotland after a challenge on Ian Henderson, with referee Ollie Yates showing the former Oxford United forward a straight red card.

Hylton – who hadn't picked up a card this season prior to the weekend – will now miss games against Wycombe Wanderers, Plymouth Argyle and Gillingham, as well as Tuesday's Checkatrade Trophy match against Peterborough United.

Jones said: "We wanted to [appeal], but the video evidence is inconclusive. It's not a malicious challenge, the ref made up his mind very, very quickly to say that it was.

"It wasn't the worst challenge in the game watching it back, it's one of those things. Nowadays, you don't look at it and think 'is that a red?', you have to prove the referee has made a clear and obvious error. We didn't really want to risk a frivolous appeal as well.

"It is a blow to lose him for three games, but it would be a blow to lose any of them. he's been coming back in, he's in real good form and it stunts his momentum a little bit.

"He's been in real good form and he's built up good momentum. It's a really important month with the games we've got coming up. It's not just three games, it's actually four because of the rule that he can't play in the Checkatrade Trophy in between."

The Hatters boss has been nominated for Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for the first time in his managerial career, having picked up the award on three occasions for the fourth tier last year.

Whilst pleased with the nomination, he – as he has been every time he has been selected – was keen to put the emphasis on the work all the first team staff do behind the scenes, as well as the players' performances.

"It's pleasing, but I keep saying this and it's not me being coy or anything, if you get nominated it means your team have had a good month," he continued.

"That's the be-all and end-all. There's no point us being bottom of the league and I get Manager of the Month. It means that we have had a real good month and that's a credit to everyone.

"We always, say that it is a team effort and it is, you wouldn't get nominated if your team hadn't got 15 out of 18 points available. We've had a wonderful month, Barnsley is the only blip, even the Checkatrade Trophy game which I don't think counts for Manager of the Month, but the Checkatrade Trophy one we had a real good win. So we have had a fantastic month and I am proud of everyone for that."