STEVE WATSON is hopeful that more open games could work in York City's as the National League North season approaches the business end.

After Saturday's trip to Boston United (3pm), only 12 games will remain of the campaign for the Minstermen, who could go top of the table - at least until Monday, when current leaders King's Lynn play - with victory.

Similar to York, Boston have been on a good run of late. Of the form table for the last six games, Boston are top, having dropped just two points, and York are second, with the King's Lynn Town defeat the only blemish of the sextet.

Last weekend's results saw the York Street outfit go third in table, winning 1-0 at Blyth Spartans while second-placed City saw off former third-placed side Chester 4-2.

York were excellent in the high-scoring win and so overshadowed much of what has made Chester such a force this season.

But the visitors also came to Bootham Crescent to play, and not just to nullify York, as many have this season, and this may have been a factor in City being able to show their quality.

Watson believes it comes with the season approaching its latter stages, and teams needing to go all out to get the three points - just as York do.

He said: "Chester needed the win as much as we did. Boston will need this win as much as we do tomorrow. "King's Lynn will go to Gloucester on Monday night needing that win.

"It's up to us to put pressure on them. We could be back ahead of them by then.

"Teams hoping to be in and around the mix have to start winning games and I think that will make for more open games, and hopefully we will benefit from that.

"The mentality we have to have is to just win as many games as we can.

"We've got to be on the front foot and test the goalie.

"Apart from the goals, which were very good goals, Jordan scored an offside goal and we had two or three one-on-ones.

"We really did test them a lot more than we did even down there.

"That's the way we'll approach the game on Saturday. Home or away, we need to approach it the same way."

The boss says he is looking forward to the visit to York Street - and he reports the players are keen as well.

He also anticipates a healthy travelling contingent, as there was at King's Lynn, where an estimated 725 York fans took the away end at The Walks.

"For me personally, it's another first," he said. "I've not been to Boston and I'm looking forward to it.

"Our away fans have been amazing all season and I'm sure we'll have numbers and a great atmosphere.

"The atmosphere at King's Lynn was a proper atmosphere, as good as you will get at these levels, and I'm expecting Saturday will be the same."

He added of City's recent form: "We were disappointed with the manner of the result at King's Lynn but apart than that we're on a good run.

"It was a big challenge against Chester. We responded, and the results went for us.

"Boston have also benefited, they have crept up and they are on a really good run.

"They're a good side - full of energy, good experience up front, good width.

"It's another really tough game, and one the lads are up for.

"We'll be confident, but so will (Boston). It'll be a really good game.

"They're a really athletic, front-foot side. They've been playing 4-4-2. I had a chat with Lee at Blyth, who played them last week, where our guy went to watch them. Me and Micky went to the game before that.

"But like any other team, there are things which we can hopefully try and exploit.

"They've got good experience, as have we.

"They've got experience up top with (former Harrogate striker Dominic) Knowles and (Frank) Mulhern, good pace out wide, two experienced centre-halves, two energetic midfielders.

"They're a great side and it's a game where you don't need to say a lot to the lads for them to be up for it."