YORK City assistant manager Micky Cummins believes 100 per cent effort is the way to win supporters' backing - and will accept nothing less tomorrow against Hereford.

The Minstermen had a rocky start to term, three defeats from their three opening National League North games culminating in a nadir of fan sentiment after the 2-1 capitulation against Brackley Town.

But after two high-scoring, entertaining wins against Spennymoor Town and Farsley Celtic, the mood has lifted substantially around the LNER Community Stadium, performance and results coming together for City.

Cummins has liked what he has seen these last two games, and on Saturday (3pm), City have a chance to add to their momentum when they host Hereford.

“(Supporters) will get behind us when they see the lads giving 100 per cent," Cummins said.

“The early part of the season, we were scraping around, trying to field a starting 11.

“As time has gone by, they’ve seen a change in terms of our philosophy and what we’re trying to do in the games and they’re getting on board with that.

“We are getting results, opportunities created and goals scored – we just need to tighten things up at the back.

“They’ll get behind us as long as they’re seeing what they’re seeing, particularly in the last couple of games.

“(Total effort) is the minimum. That’s a non-negotiable. That’s what we talk about before the games and every training session.

“If you don’t want to do that, you’re not part of our group.

“First and foremost, you’ve got to be with us, working hard and giving everything."

City's most recent outing, at home to Farsley, was an immensely watchable encounter, Kurt Willoughby, Michael Woods, Clayton Donaldson and an own goal giving the Minstermen a 4-0 lead with 20 minutes to go.

From a management perspective, though, there is a touch of frustration which percolates through the team that a lack of game management resulted in the Celts pulling back two goals late on.

York have had sustained problems in defence this season - by the end of the defeat at Gloucester, they were unable to field one senior recognised defender - but might now be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.

Centre-back Josh King was on the bench to face Farsley last week and, after a week of training, could make the squad again, as could Michael Duckworth, who had to pull out of the 3-1 win at Spennymoor on August 31 after aggravating a groin injury in the warm-up.

Left-back Scott Barrow is not yet ready to return, though his Achilles injury is not as bad as first feared, while Sean Newton will be missing for a while yet.

Still, it is looking positive for York, whose stand-ins have performed admirably but lacked that nous the seasoned defenders bring.

Weekend opponents Hereford sit 21st in National League North, separated from the foot of the table by only Darlington, who have played two games fewer.

The Bulls have lost three and drawn two of their first five league games this term, most recently going down 2-0 at home to Spennymoor.

Despite their poor start, Cummins is taking nothing for granted with the visitors.

“They were countered on for the two goals they conceded," he commented of the Spennymoor loss. "They had a lot of the ball and a lot of opportunities.

“Spennymoor probably rode their luck a bit.

“So they’ll have some confidence. Whether they’re under pressure or not, I’m not too sure, but in terms of what they’ve got in their squad, they’re good footballers.

“It’s a slow start but at some point their luck’s going to have to change and we’re looking to stop that on Saturday."