MICKY CUMMINS believes that York City's 2-0 win over Kettering Town shows the Minstermen are able to adapt and be relied on.

It was a tough and occasionally bruising contest - left wing-back Scott Barrow limped off before half-time and Olly Dyson came off with a dead leg, Cummins revealed - but City shut their visitors out for 80-plus minutes after Sean Newton's brace gave them an early two-goal lead.

Notably for the assistant manager, it was a different style of contest from Saturday's win over Chester - but again resulted in three points.

"I think we showed we can mix it up," he said. "We can step up to the challenge when called upon and still be a threat.

"Personally, I like to be more attractive on the eye but whatever challenge comes our way, we'll set up and work to get the better of the opposition.

"Delighted with the performance and the three points," he added.

"What you saw tonight is how (Kettering) play - they get the ball forward, very direct. They've got pace down the wings. They've got long throws, corner kicks, free kicks, they look to overload the box and put you off your game.

"I felt we defended the box fantastically well. The back five, back three, midfield two getting the seconds, and Pete (Jameson) did well. His handling was good and his decision-making was good.

"All in all, we knew what to expect, they didn't let us down and we stood up to the test."

Cummins' and City's attention now turns to Spennymoor Town, which will be a different challenge again, he believes.

After emerging from self-isolation at the end of November to a 2-1 defeat at Leamington, York have picked up nine points in seven days with wins over Blyth Spartans, Chester and Kettering. The aim is to keep that going on Saturday at Bootham Crescent.

"Formation-wise, (Spennymoor) play with a back four. It will be more of a ball game. They've got energy up top but they try to play out from the back. We'll have to adjust and adapt.

"Our focus now is Spennymoor and picking up three points.

"It's a good patch we're in. Because of the games we've missed and the games we've had to fit in, it was always going to be about being resolute, solid, using our squad, and at all costs, don't lose.

"If you have that platform, we can possibly kick on in that purple patch, get other people scoring goals.

"Hopefully, (there will be) fans in this weekend and they will see a different team, squad and a different challenge."

Barrow's first-half substitution came following two hefty challenges. The first resembled a front-on body-check and the second was a wild sliding challenge from Connor Kennedy.

"It's probably too early to tell (how he is)," Cummins said. "It's either impact or a twist - he sort of twisted and the lad came through him.

"He's a good healer, usually, so we'll see what he's like tomorrow.

"Olly Dyson's picked up a bit of a dead leg.

"We'll have a better picture tomorrow."