ACE of pace Alex Godfrey reckons York City Knights are yet to hit their peak - and might time it just right for the play-offs.

The 24-year-old, who was the star of the show in the 32-16 defeat of Hunslet on Friday night, admitted 'you never know what you're going to get' with the Knights, but said promotion was definitely possible.

Winger Godfrey, who has played the last two games at full-back, scored his 12th try of the season - and eighth in the last nine games - in the win against Hunslet, which guaranteed fourth place in National League Two and a home tie against Barrow in the elimination play-off next weekend.

"It was great," he said of Friday's win. "But I still think our best is to come.

We've got a great chance of promotion. A lack of form in a few games let us down a couple of times, but we've proved in the last few weeks that we're good enough.

"The top two teams are Sheffield and Chorley and they will be the favourites, and Keighley have finished up there despite a bit of a slip and they've got an outside chance as well.

"We'll probably begin as underdogs but I prefer being the outsiders. People don't know how you're going to perform - sometimes we don't know how we're going to perform - and this can sometimes benefit you."

Godfrey had special words of praise for his namesake, Stuart Godfrey, who made a try-scoring debut against Hunslet, and the Knights supporters, who have given the club the best backing throughout the division.

"I know him from amateur rugby and junior pro," he said his fellow 24-year-old. "I thought he went really well. He does not normally play on the wing - he's normally a half-back or full-back - but he looked the part for me."

He added: "We need to give a big rap to the fans. They've backed us brilliantly and the support in the last two games has been particularly great."

Season ticket holders are reminded that season tickets are not valid for the play-offs. Those passes covered regular season games only. Admission prices for Sunday's game at home to Barrow (ko 3pm) are as normal: £8 standing, £10 seating; OAPs £5 standing, £7 seating; Under-12s free if accompanied by an adult; Under-16s £5.

Meanwhile, league chiefs have confirmed that if York beat Barrow and Hunslet beat Keighley in the two elimination play-offs on Sunday, then the Knights will be at home to the Hawks in the second elimination play-off, by virtue of the fact they finished higher in the table - therefore Sunday's game against Barrow might not be the last at Huntington Stadium this season. If Keighley beat Hunslet, then the Cougars will have home advantage against the winners of York versus Barrow. Elimination play-off ties are straight knockout. In the event of a draw, extra time will be played.

Updated: 14:24 Wednesday, September 10, 2003