NORTH Wales Crusaders boss Mike Grady is hoping for another close contest against York City Knights today.

No more than two points have separated the sides in the last four match-ups, and, given their respective form, Grady feels another tight clash offers his side the best chance of success.

“The games between the two are often close and I’m hoping for nothing different,” he said.

“When we compete for a full 80 then we’ll give ourselves a much better chance to win games.”

Knights counterpart James Ford said: “We’re expecting a tough one. A lot of games between us have been really close. We will need mental strength for sure.”

The most recent meeting, the League One Cup tie at the start of this season, saw North Wales come from 16-4 down to equalise with the last play of the game and then win 17-16 with an extra-time drop goal.

The one 2016 meeting saw Tyler Craig’s late try and touchline conversion steal York a point in another 16-16 draw, while the two clashes in late 2015 both remarkably ended 30-28.

Crusaders won a humdinger at York thanks to a controversial late penalty after an incredible Knights comeback had brought them level from 28-0 down at half-time, and Ford’s men got payback in Wrexham in another thriller just 17 days later.