ASSISTANT manager Micky Cummins has said the only pressure York City feel comes from within and from the standards they have set themselves.

The Minstermen are flying high at the top of the National League North - now eight points ahead of second-placed Chester - and head into Saturday's game against Kidderminster Harriers with their incredible unbeaten record still intact.

This, Cummins says, is down to the attitude of the players on matchday and in training - where Steve Watson's right-hand man also insists he can trust their charges' judgement.

York now stand at 18 league and FA Cup games without defeat, most recently beating Boston United 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Asked if any pressure comes with fans' hopes for this to continue, Cummins said: "The only pressure is from ourselves.

"We've set them standards, we've set the bar really high for ourselves, and to continue as we have done is just testament to the group we have.

"The 11 that start, the 16 in the squad, the 22, 23 pros - they're all pushing each other.

"There's no poor body language in training from lads that aren't playing.

"It's so competitive.

"They're tough on each other and they push their own standards.

"That's down to the foundation myself and the gaffer put in in pre-season and they've risen above that, continued to kick on and really impress."

With their third game in a week approaching, fatigue is a now a real consideration.

Right-sided wing-back Kallum Griffiths was rested on Tuesday evening, while forward Dan Maguire was again substituted in the second half as he continues to return to full match fitness. Griffiths was in training on Thursday while Maguire had a recovery day, but on Thursday, Cummins reported both fit for Saturday.

"There are no other niggles or doubts," he said.

"They're honest with us and they tell us how they're feeling and that's what it's about - communication."

He added: “When you’re on this sort of run, they don’t want to say, ‘I’m struggling, I’m going to give this one a miss’.

“They are doing everything possible with themselves - at home, here, with the physio - to get themselves right.

“They go about things the right way, they manage their bodies pretty well.

“It’s the mental tiredness as well, so there’s loads to consider, but as of (Thursday) we’ve got a fully fit squad available for Saturday.”

As with Boston mid-week, Cummins is expecting another tough game, with York’s successes this term again putting them in the crosshairs.

Alex Kempster and Jordan Burrow were on target against the Pilgrims. On the victory, Cummins said: “You look at the occasion - Tuesday night, under the lights, Bootham. The fans again were fantastic.

“You want to go out there and replicate what you’ve done in previous games that got you success.

“At times we believe we’ve done that. A couple of lapses of concentration here and there, against better opposition, different types of opposition.

“We’re up against it most weeks. We’re a big scalp and people are wanting to get that win against us.

“They want to stop us on our run so it’s about us rising above that, kicking on and keeping our standards.”

On the challenge Kidderminster pose, Cummins added: “They carry a threat in wide and central areas.

“They’re a full-time club whose position in the league is probably false, based on what I saw.

“They’re productive off set pieces, they’ve got good height and attacking ability, and they’ve got options off the bench.

“It’s going to be another tactical battle and we’ve got to be on it, come out of the blocks really quick, be powerful and energetic because they certainly carry a threat on the counter-attack and in build-up play.

“For any team coming to Bootham with a good crowd and a good atmosphere, we’re a big scalp and the team everyone’s trying to knock off the perch.

“We’re expecting them to raise their game and have a good go at us.”