Set-Piece Kings: The League One Players Creating The Most Dead-Ball Assists

Set-piece delivery remains one of the most valuable creative weapons in League One, particularly in a division where physicality, organisation and fine margins can define entire seasons.

This ranking looks at assists created directly from set pieces per 90 minutes during the 2025/26 campaign. Corners, indirect free kicks and dead-ball deliveries are all included, rewarding players capable of consistently producing quality service into dangerous areas. Note – throw-ins are not on the list!

As with all per-90 metrics, context matters. Players with lower minutes can sometimes post inflated numbers, while those maintaining production across 40-plus matches often demonstrate greater consistency and reliability over the course of a full campaign.

Lincoln City’s appearance twice inside the top ten is notable. Reeco Hackett and Ivan Varfolomeev both contributed important dead-ball creativity during the Imps’ title-winning season, helping maximise the aerial strengths within Michael Skubala’s squad.

Below are the top ten League One players for set-piece assists per 90 during the 2025/26 season, as per Wyscout.

10. Lee Evans, Bradford City / Blackpool, 0.05 per 90

Lee Evans brought experience and control to midfield roles at both Bradford City and Blackpool during the campaign. The Welsh midfielder averaged 0.05 set-piece assists per 90 across more than 1,800 minutes.

Evans has long been recognised for his clean striking technique and reliable delivery from deeper positions. His ability to vary pace and trajectory made him a useful option from corners and indirect free kicks, particularly when targeting physically dominant centre halves.

At 31, his game now relies heavily on intelligence and technical execution, both of which remain evident in dead-ball situations.

9. Ivan Varfolomeev, Lincoln City, 0.05 per 90

Ivan Varfolomeev quietly became an increasingly useful creative option during our promotion-winning season. The 22-year-old midfielder averaged 0.05 set-piece assists per 90 while adapting impressively to English football.

Operating from deeper midfield positions, Varfolomeev showed calmness and technical precision when delivering into crowded areas. His ability to rotate with other set-piece takers also gave Lincoln variation from dead-ball situations.

With City scoring 89 league goals, contributions like his added another layer to an already balanced attack.

8. Danny Andrew, Stockport County / Exeter City, 0.05 per 90

Danny Andrew’s inclusion highlights the enduring value of an experienced left foot. Across spells with Stockport and Exeter, the veteran defender remained a dependable source of quality delivery from wide set-piece areas.

The 35-year-old has built much of his career around consistency rather than flair, and his dead-ball work reflects that. Whether delivering inswinging corners or clipped free kicks toward the back post, Andrew regularly created dangerous situations for attacking runners.

Even from defensive positions, he retained significant attacking value.

7. Scott Banks, Barnsley / Blackpool, 0.05 per 90

Scott Banks combined direct attacking play with useful dead-ball quality throughout the season. Operating largely from wide attacking areas, the Scot consistently looked to create opportunities with his left foot.

Banks averaged 0.05 set-piece assists per 90 across 36 appearances, with his deliveries often driven aggressively into dangerous zones rather than floated aimlessly into the box.

At 24, there is still room for greater consistency, but the technical ability is clearly there.

6. Reeco Hackett, Lincoln City, 0.06 per 90

Reeco Hackett remained one of Lincoln City’s key creative outlets throughout their title-winning campaign. Alongside his open-play contribution, he also averaged 0.06 set-piece assists per 90 across more than 3,000 league minutes.

Hackett’s left foot gave Lincoln excellent variation from corners and advanced free kicks. His deliveries regularly targeted the aggressive movement of players such as Sonny Bradley, helping City turn dead-ball situations into a genuine attacking weapon.

Importantly, he maintained those numbers while operating in a side expected to dominate matches rather than rely solely on set plays.

5. Dylan Williams, Burton Albion, 0.06 per 90

Dylan Williams emerged as one of Burton Albion’s more technically gifted players during a difficult campaign. The 22-year-old midfielder averaged 0.06 set-piece assists per 90 while regularly taking responsibility for dead-ball situations.

His left-footed delivery gave Burton useful attacking variation, particularly from wider free kicks and corners aimed toward crowded six-yard areas.

Although Burton struggled collectively, Williams’ technical quality still stood out within the side.

4. Oliver Norwood, Stockport County, 0.07 per 90

Oliver Norwood’s presence near the top of this list is no surprise. Even at 35, the experienced midfielder remained among League One’s most accomplished passers and dead-ball specialists.

Norwood maintained 0.07 set-piece assists per 90 across more than 4,100 minutes, which is particularly impressive given the scale of his workload. Consistency over that sample size arguably makes his output even more valuable than some players above him.

Stockport’s strong campaign owed plenty to his ability to control tempo and deliver quality from advanced positions.

3. George Saville, Luton Town, 0.07 per 90

George Saville brought experience, balance and reliability to Luton Town’s midfield throughout the season. The 32-year-old matched Norwood’s output at 0.07 set-piece assists per 90 across 38 appearances.

Saville’s left foot consistently delivered dangerous service into attacking zones, allowing Luton to maximise their physical strengths inside the penalty area. His delivery style relied more on precision and consistency than outright flair, but it remained highly effective.

Maintaining that output over more than 2,600 minutes underlines genuine reliability.

2. Ruari Paton, Port Vale, 0.12 per 90

Ruari Paton produced one of the division’s most efficient creative returns from set pieces during his limited minutes with Port Vale. Averaging 0.12 assists per 90 from dead-ball situations, the Irish attacker showed genuine quality whenever given opportunities.

Operating as both a forward and attacking midfielder, Paton combined intelligent movement with sharp delivery. His lower minutes total means some caution is required when comparing directly with players producing across full campaigns, but the numbers remain excellent regardless.

For a struggling Port Vale side, moments of quality from players like Paton often proved especially important.

1. Herbie Kane, Plymouth Argyle / Huddersfield Town, 0.15 per 90

Herbie Kane topped the division with an outstanding 0.15 set-piece assists per 90, reinforcing his reputation as one of League One’s elite technical midfielders.

Whether representing Plymouth or Huddersfield, Kane consistently demonstrated exceptional delivery quality from corners and indirect free kicks. His right foot generated pace, whip and accuracy, making him a constant threat whenever his side earned territory in advanced areas.

Although his sample size was smaller than some others on the list, the quality of his dead-ball contribution was undeniable. In a division where so many matches are decided by single moments, Kane’s delivery repeatedly created them.