The summer signing from Reading, on the mend following a hamstring injury, captained the young side for the first half and it was his sweeping pass which released Adam Gusterson to cross for Ian Henderson's diving ninth minute opener.
Hughes' replacement Chris Martin added the second goal on 72 minutes before Paul McVeigh wrapped things up late on. As well as McVeigh and Hughes, another player who may expect to figure against Plymouth Argyle at the weekend is Jason Jarrett, who played 90 minutes last night.
The result is a fillip for Keith Webb's side, who had failed to find the target in any of their previous three outings, but builds on a very creditable draw at Spurs last time out.