MICHAEL MORTON has admitted that York City are in for a 'tough game' on Monday, as the Minstermen host Barnet at the LNER Community Stadium (7.45pm).

Barnet currently find themselves in fifth position of the Vanarama National League and currently occupy a play-off spot, having remained unbeaten in their last five matches.

York on the other hand are struggling in 17th position, with five points separating City and the relegation zone and two victories in their last seven league matches.

But after City failed to defeat lowly Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night, Morton is expecting a tough battle in Monday's crucial clash with Barnet.

The Minstermen did manage an emphatic 5-0 victory over the Bees last October, as goals from Fraser Kerr, Alex Hurst, Sam Sanders and a double from Lenell John-Lewis.

It was arguably York's performance of the season, something which Morton is hoping will inspire a much-needed three points on Monday night.

“It’s going to be a tough game. I haven’t been watching their games, but I’m going to watch them tomorrow." Explained Morton.

“They’re a physical side who like to get the ball forward, they’ve got many different weapons that will be a threat to us.

"But if you look back at the game before, York went and imposed themselves on them and caused them a lot of problems.

“I know a player got sent off but I thought that they were clinical on that day and played some really good football.

“If you look at it as well, there have been games where teams have gone at them and they’ve also got to play two games in three days.

"We’ve just got to make sure that we are fresh and ready to go.

“Hopefully there will be a good crowd here and we can go and impose ourselves on them."

Barnet are currently managed by Dean Brennan, who has a growing reputation in the game after abiding Wealdstone in their promotion to the National League in 2020.

It'll be a first match between Morton and Brennan.

Morton also offered his thoughts on the structure in place at Barnet, which has seen the Bees outperform their pre-season expectations to occupy a play-off spot.

Last season saw Barnet finish in 18th position of the National League, where they found themselves in a similar predicament to York when managing just 50 points in the campaign, 17 less than what they've managed so far this season.

“It’s the first time I have come up against him.

"Obviously I have seen him over the years when I’ve popped to a game on the weekend or whether if it’s been with York.

"But I’ve been having a look at them and they’re obviously a strong club in terms of their structure and they do things.

"Their manager has obviously got a good reputation and is doing a good job.

"I don’t know if their expectation was to be right up there but with the squad and the manager, they were going to be in and around it."