Lyle Taylor’s invaluable contribution to AFC Wimbledon’s League Two promotion has its roots in three places, says the striker.

Taylor, a summer acquisition from Scunthorpe United, had lived a nomadic life in football wearing the colours of six clubs in five years – including stints at Falkirk and Partick in Scotland.

However, Dons boss Neal Ardley took a punt on the 26-year-old and when he hit a quick-fire hat-trick in a pre-season debut at Basingstoke, it appeared a shrewd piece of business.

An encouraging word in Taylor’s ear in the immediate aftermath of the game was proved to be a portent of things to come… eventually.

However when the League Two season started and the goals failed to materialise, Taylor needed a shot in the arm and he got it, in the shape of a red card.

Taylor, who failed to score in his first five league games, said: “It was a really slow start for me.

“Pre-season was great, I think I scored in every game, but then it came to the league games and it wasn’t working. I wasn’t sharp enough.

“Getting sent off against Mansfield was probably the best thing that could have happened to me.

“The gaffer, and [fitness coach] Jason ran me into the ground every day for three and a half weeks.

“I missed the first two weeks of pre-season so that was massive for me, and that got me ready.”

In the five games after his return from suspension, Taylor bagged three goals, and he would go on to hit 23 in all competitions – much to a team-mate’s delight.

And he would also forge a strong friendship with Jake Reeves that took care of matters off the pitch.

Taylor said: “I knew Bayo [Akinfenwa] from before, having played against him, and he said to me as soon as I came into the dressing room after playing against Basingstoke: ‘You’ll score 20 goals this season. I don’t care what anybody says, you will score 20 this season. That is what I’m putting on you’.

“My relationship with Jake away from the club is unbelievable. He is like a brother – I absolutely love the kid.

“We’ve had our run-ins and our problems, but every family has that. We’ve dealt with that and moved on and we are genuinely stronger than ever as a pair of friends.”

He added: “What Bayo has done for me in the building, and what Jake has done for me away from the building – I will never be able to thank them enough.”

With thank to the Football League