JORDAN BURROW insists York City players will give the rest of pre-season their all as they approach the start of the 2019/20 National League North season.

There is just over a week to go before the season-opening trip to Altrincham on Saturday, August 3, with City still to face Notts County tomorrow and Pickering Town on Tuesday.

And striker Burrow - who got his first goals of pre-season on Tuesday night, scoring two penalties to see the Minstermen to a 2-0 win at South Shields - is looking forward to testing himself against the Magpies, who were relegated to the National League last season.

"We were not so long ago a League side ourselves," he was keen to point out, adding: "I'm looking forward to playing them. They've come down last year so they've got some experienced Football League players, but we've got some good players as well.

"It's the last Saturday game before the season starts and it will be good to test ourselves and get minutes in the legs.

"It's all gearing towards the third of August when the proper stuff starts, when there's points up for grabs.

"That's what really gets the juices flowing and we intend to be right at it until then.

"I can't wait really, that's what we as players look for, when the competitive games come.

"Pre-season is all about fitness and gelling until the proper stuff starts. It's all about preparing for then and being at your optimum levels then."

Burrow's two spot kicks at Mariners Park came as a result of good work from attacking partner Dan Maguire, who drew the fouls both times.

His busy work across the line kept the Shields defence on their toes, especially in the second half, when the former Blyth Spartans man threatened to break through a couple of times after nicking possession. He also gave Burrow a couple of opportunities to add to his brace, the best being when he squared into the box with Burrow in space.

Joining with four others - Kieran Green, Andy Bond, Steve McNulty and Peter Jameson - early in the summer, Burrow has been pleased with the way he has gelled.

He said: "Pre-season's about getting to know them, their game and what their strengths and weaknesses are.

"I played up front with Dan Maguire today and he's created a lot of chances for me.

"Hopefully, if he keeps that up throughout the season, I'll be happy."

Of the Shields game, Burrow added: "We played well in patches and created a lot of chances. It's another good workout for us, getting ready for the third of August.

"We probably could have scored more tonight but it's still pre-season and still a work in progress and we're heading in the right direction."

Founded in 1862, tomorrow's opponents County lost their 157-year-old title of the world's oldest Football League club on the last day of the 2018/19 League Two season following a 3-1 defeat at Swindon Town.

The club have endured a turbulent period off the pitch and are currently under a transfer embargo. A takeover deal was due to be completed on Wednesday but nothing was finalised.

Neal Ardley's side could now struggle to keep hold of their triallists but former Nottingham Forest Nathan Tyson - currently on loan at Meadow Lane - has been on good form this pre-season.