JAMES Laithwaite insists the Bulls are in the driving seat in the race for promotion.

The League One leaders are targeting a 12th straight win when they make the trip to play-off chasers Hunslet on Sunday.

York are breathing down their necks two points behind in second – and come to Odsal the following weekend for a huge promotion showdown.

But dependable forward Laithwaite believes the onus is firmly on the chasing pack.

He said: “We’re where we want to be, looking down at the rest. We’re in the driving seat.

“There are two massive games coming up but we know what our target is. Pick up two wins and we’re confident we will go on and win the league.”

John Kear prides his team’s success on their defensive toughness this season. They have conceded only 173 points in the 16 games so far – the meanest record in the division.

Laithwaite, on a season-long loan from Toronto, has been an integral part of that.

Newcastle were restricted to just four points as the Bulls extended their three-month winning streak last week.

Laithwaite added: “We defended well – like we have all year. Our attack was a bit scratchy in patches but we’re happy.

“We set goals not to concede. We conceded one try but that was from a kick so that’s pleasing.

“John always puts the focus on defence and when we defend like we did there, it’s very satisfying.

“We knew it would be a tough game against Newcastle. They are a team that never go away and have a big set of forwards.

“We didn’t expect to score 50-odd against them but we always felt in control. The game panned out exactly how we thought and we stuck in there.

“Now we’ve got these games against teams behind us. They are going to come firing at us – but that’s the same with everyone when they play Bradford.

“We know what they’re capable of and what we need to do and we’re confident.”