STEVE WATSON has said that he's "supremely confident" that York City can come away with three points from tomorrow's trip to fellow promotion chasers Southport (3pm).

York kept pace with National League North leaders King's Lynn on Wednesday after completing the double over Bradford Park Avenue thanks a 2-1 win over Bootham Crescent.

That kept the gap between the two sides at four points ahead of the crucial meeting between the two clubs later this month.

Before that, York face Southport this weekend, a side who sit seventh in the league standings and took a point at Bootham Crescent back in September.

But, the Christmas period has been tough for Southport, having lost all of their last three matches, conceding 10 goals and scoring just once during such time.

York have been particularly strong on their travels this term and boast the division's best record away from home, taking four more points than any other side.

And, while their run of three wins from their past 11 matches has dented their promotion ambitions, Watson's belief in his side hasn't waned.

"I'm supremely confident that we can, I really am," said Watson when asked about the magnitude of taking maximum points.

"We'll have a look at what's going to work best for us against them and what the best chances or opportunities are for us to break them down in order to get three points away from home.

" I've gone in to every away game this season fancying ourselves to win.

"But, as I mentioned last week, it has to be at home where it's almost like our banker and that's still something that we've got to overcome.

“It’s a happy medium now to get them as fresh as we can. I’d say that there’s half a dozen of them that are under the weather.

“Sometimes, when you’re coming off the back of three quick games and you’ve got people under the weather, it isn’t as easy to play as fast and as quick as you would think.

“You have to be sensible with the ball at times and you’ve got to be patient.

“You might have to play three or four passes around the back, almost to give the players a breather, who have been working hard over Christmas.

“It’s not a long break, it’s only a couple of days but it’s a good chance to get the players’ batteries charged.”

York were again without striker Dan Maguire for the New Year’s Day clash with Bradford Park Avenue through injury.

Watson said he was hopeful rather than confident that Maguire would make the trip for the weekend.

He said: “With Dan this season, confidence isn’t the word I would use very often.

“But, of of course I’m hopeful and that’s probably the best word to use.

With Maguire absent, Langstaff scored the opener against Bradford Park Avenue, his first league goal of the season.

“It was a typical Macaulay goal because he’s such a good finisher and he’s got such a good touch,” hailed Watson of the forward.

“But that goal sort of summed up what we haven’t been doing great for a lot of the season.

“It was a really good pick out from Mokes (Adriano Moke) and Macaulay did really well to finish it. That is what we have been missing.”

The trip to Southport is the first of two matches leading up to the likely first-vs-second clash against King’s Lynn on January 18.

“They (King’s Lynn) are just on this relentless run and we’ve got to peg them back,” Watson said.

“We’ve still got to play them and that’s going to be a huge game.

“We’ll play them within our next three games, which is now getting close.

“I’d like us to be in a better frame of mind, coming off the back of some really good results with confidence.”