OXFORD United’s longest unbeaten run as a Football League club in more than two decades is helping to get more out of the players, according to Danny Hylton.

The squad head to Mansfield Town today on the back of a 12-game sequence without defeat, which stretches back to March.

It is 21 years since United last achieved the feat in the Football League, when they went 13 games unbeaten in all competitions under Denis Smith.

Although the majority of the present run came at the end of last season, Hylton thinks the confidence has carried over and is driving the squad on.

He said: “It definitely helps.

“We’ve not been beaten in 12 games and that’s the momentum we’re talking about.

“We’ve got an attitude at the moment that we don’t lose and don’t give up.

“That can only be good for the team, we saw that at Luton – we were 2-0 down and could easily have lost (United drew 2-2).

“As long as we keep picking up points and have the same attitude we’ll be OK.

“In the Luton game you just found that extra five per cent to keep that run going. It can only be a good thing.”

Hylton was instrumental in the 3-1 win over Notts County on Tuesday night, when United created a host of chances.

Mansfield are expected to be far less open and will pose a very different test at Field Mill.

While the U’s were playing fluently against County, the Stags had seven players booked as they went down 1-0 at Accrington Stanley.

Hylton, who has three goals in four games this season, expects a more physical encounter, but believes Michael Appleton’s men are well equipped for the challenge.

He said: “It’s never going to be easy going to Mansfield.

“If they want a battle and a fight, we’re definitely able to join in.

“I don’t think we can get bullied by teams, hopefully we can win the battles and then play some good football as well.

“We can do both sides.”