JAMES Ford believes both sets of supporters are "in for a treat" when York City Knights and Keighley go head-to-head again tomorrow.

The Knights chief takes his third-placed side to Cougar Park for the League One clash with revenge on his mind following their iPro Sport Cup final defeat to Paul March's men in May.

There were just two points between the rivals on that occasion in Blackpool – and only eight points separated them when the Knights took the spoils at Bootham Crescent in the Challenge Cup in March.

Ford expects tomorrow's meeting to be similarly tight, especially with the hosts' promotion prospects hanging by a thread.

He said: "It should be another cracking game. Keighley are a good team, they've got a really good squad and some fine fine players across the field.

"Obviously, that showed when they narrowly edged us out at Blackpool in the final of the iPro Cup, so we're expecting a really tough game against them again.

"No-one likes losing and we're still disappointed with how we performed on that day – but you've also got to give credit to Keighley. They were the best team on the day and I suppose they deserved to win.

"This is now a completely different competition and a completely different game and we're looking forward to it.

"You're always learning things in this game regardless of the opposition. They've got some very good players and are capable of adjusting their plans on the run, so we'll need to have some flexibility about our plans as well.

"It will be two pretty evenly-matched teams and I believe that the supporters are in for a treat."

Three defeats on the spin have left the Cougars languishing in sixth place with pressure mounting on former Knights player and coach March.

Their struggles have come as a surprise to Ford – especially after March's men only missed out on promotion to the Championship last season by a solitary point.

"It has been a little bit surprising because Paul March is a good coach and they've got some good players," remarked Ford.

"But that just highlights how strong League One is this year. This league is definitely heading in the right direction.

"Keighley might have fallen a little bit behind where they want to be at this moment in time but there is still a lot to play for before the end of the season."

Following Jordan Crowther's recall by Wakefield earlier this week, the Knights will also be without Tommy Saxton for the Keighley clash.

Ford insists those enforced changes provide a huge opportunity for the fringe players in his squad to impress.

"I thought Tommy was excellent against Toulouse last weekend – one of, if not our best player," he said.

"But it was a long trip and he's having minor back spasms, so we'll pull him out of the game this week and look after him.

"We have got good cover there, then it's up to those boys to play to the level they're capable of and keep the shirts.

"It's not set in stone who is going to play in our remaining games. It will come down to form at the back end of the season and how the boys train and continue to conduct themselves."