YORK City Knights boss James Ford has called on the Bootham Crescent faithful to win their battle in the stands - to help his team win theirs on the field.

The Knights host old arch-rivals Hunslet tomorrow in a fixture which could have a huge impact on the promotion picture for both teams, with York level on points with Bradford in a two-horse race for the title and the Parksiders currently sat just outside the play-off zone on points-difference.

Ford is relishing the likely atmosphere both on and off the pitch, saying he expects "another tremendous spectacle" which could even surpass the Knights' ultra-tense two-point win in south Leeds in early May.

"It's a derby game and there's lots of rivalry - a positive rivalry with lots of banter between supporters," he said.

"Players have in the past moved to and fro between the clubs and both sides will be really keen to do well.

"There will be a good atmosphere as well with a little bit of banter flying about."

He added: "Hunslet will probably bring a noisy away following and I'm sure they'll make themselves heard.

"They'll probably make their thoughts clear about our dual-reg relationship with Hull KR too. I really enjoyed that last time - I thought they were quite funny.

"York fans will need to be at their best also - and something tells me they will be.

"We don't want Hunslet coming to our ground and making more noise than us, do we."

The fact Hunslet's coach, Gary Thornton, was Ford's predecessor at York adds spice, too, although the two men have gone head to head five times already since the former's controversially axing in 2014, with Ford winning four of them, including one friendly, and Thornton one.

"We've got a lot of respect for them," said Ford.

"In the game away to Hunslet we had to hang on by our fingernails. We know they will come here and challenge us.

"They've got a good coach who will have them motivated and we know we'll have to be at our best individually and as a team."

The Knights had surged 24-0 clear with a 16-minute four-try salvo before the half-hour in that May meeting at the John Charles Stadium, but they had to cling on to win 26-24 after an almighty Hunslet comeback.

Asked if York took their foot off the pedal or Hunslet stepped up a gear that day, Ford said: "Probably a bit of both.

"Teams can throw caution to the wind when behind - Hunslet did that and the ball stuck and they scored some nice tries. On another day, passes go to ground and we pick the ball up and go up the other end.

"It was a really good game. Apart from being the coach of a side under the pump, I really enjoyed it. I'm expecting another tremendous spectacle this weekend."

Asked if he expected Hunslet to be in the play-offs, Ford added: "I think they definitely should be. They're one of the best sides we've played this season."