STEVE WATSON has hailed the impact of York City's travelling fans ahead of today's trip to Gloucester City.

The Minstermen face one of their furthest away days when they visit the Tigers (3pm) in the National League North.

So far, City have a 100 per cent record away from Bootham Crescent, winning 3-1 at Altrincham, 3-0 at Blyth and 4-1 at Spennymoor Town.

The sole blemishes on table-toppers York's record so far have come at home, most recently in the 1-1 draw with Gateshead.

This point came just two days after the dominant win at Spennymoor - and Watson says it is important to keep it in perspective.

"The fans have been amazing, the away fans especially," he said.

"The support at all the away games has been massively helpful.

"The atmosphere on Monday was fantastic - it certainly wasn't the fans or the atmosphere the reason for the performance.

"It was also disrupted on Monday with the stand and the delayed warm-up.

"You never know, that might have had an effect on Macca (Steve McNulty). He's got a routine and maybe that added to what happened.

"I'm sure the ones who make the journey will be right behind us again.

"We haven't disappointed them so far away from home and that's the plan, to keep that going."

Monday's draw at Bootham Crescent against Gateshead followed the ebullient win at Spennymoor over the Bank Holiday weekend, in much the same way a goalless stalemate against Farsley Celtic came after the campaign-opening victory at Altrincham.

Watson said: "I think we've got to realise where we're at.

"We're not suddenly expected to batter every team because we've had a great start.

"We're going to get games that don't go for us.

"Things didn't drop for us. The second ball always seemed to drop for Gateshead, balls into the box seemed to drop to a defender.

"It's frustrating at the time but then you have two or three games to look at the league table and think we're not doing a great deal wrong.

"It's the same as when we got the draw against Farsley," he continued. "It's four points from the opening two games.

"Had it been the opposite way around and we won 4-1 convincingly at home and draw away at Spennymoor, I would have been a lot more pleased, and I think the fans would probably be the same.

"But that just says about the standards we've set ourselves.

"When we're not completely on top form, to not lose a game is very important. Those points, a year ago, maybe a couple of years ago, that would have been a game we'd lost.

"We can't expect to be fantastic every time, but it's important that if we're not at our best, we don't lose games and keep nicking points.

"Luckily we're sitting here unbeaten."

Gloucester sit 11th in the National League North table, having been brought up as one of the northernmost clubs in the National League South.

This does not mean much with regards to situation, however. The Jubilee Stadium is still a 330-mile round-trip from Bootham Crescent, from where the York squad set off yesterday (Friday).

"We're looking forward to it," said Watson.

"The club have been great and allowed us to stay overnight, which will make a huge difference to the players and give those players with screaming kids a good rest.

"We've got a lot of new players so we'll have a lot of players singing in the dining room tomorrow night.

"It should be a good atmosphere."

He added: "(Gloucester) are a new team in the league.

"Their tails will be up and they'll be enjoying it.

"We've had them watched, we know what way they play, their strengths and weaknesses.

"It's about how we go about our business.

"I've no doubt we've set a good standard.

"Teams like Chester, Guiseley, King's Lynn - these are all teams now that teams will be really tails-up to play against and we'll be one of those teams.

"I've no doubt it'll be very, very tough."