THE Bulls are aiming to give York a Knight-mare return to Odsal as they renew their rivalry tomorrow.

League One’s promoted duo go head-to-head for the first time in the Championship – with John Kear anticipating another close encounter.

Both sides won the away fixtures by two points last year as York went on to pip the Bulls for the title.

Kear is braced for battle to recommence in equally tight fashion.

“It was a conversion between us last year,” he said. “If Dane Chisholm kicked that (at Odsal), we would have been champions and they’d be second.

“That’s how close it was. After 26 games, the season came down to one kick.

“That is a real rivalry and obviously it will continue into the Championship.

“I feel we’re going to be good in that competition. But having watched all three of York’s games so far, I know very well they will be among the shake-up as well.”

Kear is looking for a response to the “kick up the backside” from last week’s loss at Sheffield and the lack of discipline that accompanied it.

But the Bulls can expect their work cut out against a York side who also sit on four points and drubbed Barrow 56-0 last week.

Kear can sense the rivalry that is building between the two clubs.

He added: “It’s a massive compliment to York City Knights and their development as a team and as a club.

“I went to the Barrow game and it was absolutely bouncing. There were 1,700 people in the crowd and probably only two coach-loads of away fans.

“It just shows that there is a real buzz about rugby league in York and it’s very much on an upwards trajectory.

“Our rivalry has helped contribute towards that and we’ll both want to be on the right side of that tomorrow.

“York’s last performance was a ‘nine out of 10’ one so they will come to Odsal confident and very much in form.”

Memories of last summer’s epic clash, when York opened with 24 unanswered points before the Bulls clawed their way back to fall just short, will be strong on both sides.

Kear said: “We talk about muscle memory and this is mental memory. York will have that as a group because many of the team are from last year.

“They will have that positive feeling and self-belief coming back here and we’ve got to attempt to shake that.”

The Bulls were down to be the first visitors to York’s new community stadium for the return game in July. But a delay to the opening of their new home means it has been switched back to Bootham Crescent.

Kear was not surprised by the news because of his own past experience.

“I take stadium completion dates with a pinch of salt,” he said.

“When we stayed up at Wakefield in 2006 with that miracle recovery in the last six games, I was called into the chairman’s office and shown a stadium plan.

“I was assured we would be playing in it in 2008 – and they’ve still not got it.

“I think York’s is further on than that ever was but I’m not surprised. I half-expected it, to tell the truth.

“It’s not something that will upset me because I think Bootham Crescent’s a great little ground.

“It’s got a particular atmosphere and the playing surface is brilliant. Last year was a fantastic game.

“Whenever we do play in the new stadium, we’ll thoroughly look forward to it.”