JOE Keyes has warned the Bulls that they must come straight out of the blocks in every game this season.

The Ireland international held his nerve with a penalty on the final hooter to clinch a dramatic win at York in their League One curtain-raiser.

John Kear's promotion favourites were pushed all the way by the pumped-up Knights before edging it 22-20.

York set the tempo with a blistering start to lead with an early try from Odsal old boy Keiron Moss.

Keyes reckons the Bulls must learn to deal with that against opponents who will inevitably come out firing because of the big occasion.

He said: "That's what it's going to be like every week. In the first ten minutes, teams are going to be excited about playing against us.

"It's the target we've got on our back that John's been talking about. They are going to come hunting us and we've got to cop that.

"It was a bit of a shaky start for us when they took the lead – but we have to get used to having to deal with that."

Keyes contributed ten points as well as setting up Elliot Minchella's try in a starring role. It was only his second full game back since damaging his knee in the World Cup in November.

He felt the tight contest was the ideal opening game to ensure there will be no complacency in a Bulls side tipped to dominate the competition this season.

Keyes said: "It's exactly the start we wanted. We didn't want a blow-out first game because that doesn't achieve anything.

"York are one of the top teams in this division but what better way to do it than that? We got the two points, which is the main thing, and at this stage it's all about grinding out wins.

"We dug deep to get that. You look at the charge-down from Sam Hallas to stop their drop goal – if we don't do that, the result would have gone the other way.

"Steve Crossley dived on the ball in the corner in the first half to stop them from scoring. It's all the little things that accumulate to get the win.

"These are the close games you want to play in and what a feeling it was at the end."

Keyes landed the winning kick towards the packed away support in a record crowd at Bootham Crescent since York were reformed 15 years ago.

He was thrilled for the travelling fans after the trials and tribulations of last year's relegation from the Championship.

"They are like an extra player for us and it was amazing to celebrate with them at the end," said Keyes.

"It's exactly what they deserved because they have had a tough year with us. To reward them like that felt great.

"When I was lining up the kick, I was just thinking 'make sure it goes dead if you don't get it!'

"But I just approached it like I do every time. Nothing changes just because of the situation. I went through my process and slotted it over.

"It's a fresh start and we've begun well. There's a lot to work on but it's a positive start."