NORTH Wales Crusaders boss Anthony Murray has warned his side to take no heed of York City Knights' heavy defeat last week – insisting that James Ford's men are among the favourites for promotion.

While the Crusaders were seeing off Oxford 40-18 for their second successive win and third in seven League One outings, the Knights' 100 per cent run against League One opposition in all competitions was ended unceremoniously at Barrow.

Murray now brings his men to Bootham Crescent tomorrow hopeful their last-gasp victory in last season's corresponding fixture over at Elmpark Way, despite having only 16 fully fit players, will prove an omen.

"We had to be at our best last week and it was a great result for us," said Murray.

"I don't think you can read too much into York's result last week. The week before they won an iPro Cup semi-final. Your energy levels are down the game after that because you've been so pumped up the week before.

"York are coached very well by James Ford and it will be a tough task.

"We will be focusing on keeping improving from our last game and working on the negatives. Hopefully we can do that and give a good account of ourselves. We're more than capable of getting something at York – but we have to be at our best."

The recent returns of key players has coincided with the Welshmen's recent improvement.

"The squad's looking really healthy at the moment," Murray told the Crusaders website.

"We've had Stuart Reardon, Andy Moulsdale and Stephen Wild all return, which is a massive help, and we've got Luke Warburton and Alex Thompson to come back in and provide some really good competition."

On York, Murray added: "This season they have built on something they started last year. That's evident in them reaching the league cup final.

"They have a strong team and a real strength in depth. They are coming off a defeat against Barrow but are at the top end of the table and will give us a tough game.

"They'll be one of the favourites to go up this year. However, if we can compete and continue to improve, then we won't be far off.

"We went there last season with 16 players and won, so we've also got to think of that."

As reported, Ford makes five changes to the side that lost at Barrow, with fit-again second-row Ed Smith – the joint-Press Player of the Year last term – set to feature at centre, while Brad Hey and James Morland are both omitted.

Ford explained: "He'll bring a lot of quality to that position. We have quality back-rowers and I've thought about having a look at Ed at centre and he's up for the challenge."