 Towards the end of 2001, he made his move to Luton permanent with a two-year deal for a fee of £30,000.A regular in his first two seasons, Hillier gradually fell out of favour with new manager Mike Newell and, after making 42 league appearances and having a spell on loan at Chester City, left to join Newport County in the summer of 2005 following trial spells at Oxford United, Bristol Rovers and Grimsby Town.Hillier made his debut for the Wales semi-professional international team in May 2007.