"BEFORE you know it, you could be top or you could be out of the play-offs."

That was how Oldham boss Scott Naylor described League One this season ahead of his side's top-of-the-table clash with York tomorrow.

Both sides began the year tipped by many to finish out of the top-five play-off picture, below the quintet who came down from the Championship, but Oldham are currently first and the Knights third. Only three points separate the top seven, though, with Swinton, one of the favourites, just two points further back in eighth.

"We were predicted to finish seventh by the press. That's okay, we don't mind that," said Naylor.

"We said we'd see where we are at the end of June, and at the end of June we're top. We've got two big games coming up against two teams that are near us - York and Rochdale - and two positive results will put us in a good place.

"If you lose one you could all of a sudden be fifth, it's that kind of league.

"It's going to be very difficult to get in the top five.

"If you look at what most people class as the best eight teams, three of them won't get in the play-offs. That's huge really, when you look at the teams we're talking about.

"The teams are that close that, on the basis of one or two results, before you know it you could be top or you could be out of the play-offs."

He added: "We take York as seriously as anybody. They're a good team but are flying under the radar a bit. Nobody is really talking about them, it's more about the 'big five' who have come down. But York are getting on with their business."

Defeat to North Wales last month was the first home loss the Roughyeds have suffered since 2013. They beat York 31-30 in a thrilling corresponding fixture last year when the Knights came back from the dead only to lose to a controversial late try.

York exacted revenge in the return as they finished top of the table, but Oldham had the last laugh in the play-offs - only to then fall themselves to Hunslet in the final.

This year the fixture programme means this is the two rivals' only meeting of the regular campaign.

Added Naylor: "In the context of the season it's another game but probably one of the more important ones because it's a home and, with so many tough games, you have to win as many home games against the big teams as you can and pick a few away wins up."

Centre George Tyson (knee) is ruled out tomorrow - joining star loanee Jon Ford on the treatment table - while Nathan Mason (groin) is doubtful. But key men Danny Langtree (wrist) and Adam Clay (ankle) are fit after knocks last week and prop Adam Neal is available again.