THROW everything you’ve got at York – that will be the orders for the Bulls for their season-defining tussle tomorrow.

The Bulls are playing catch-up in the Championship play-off race after last week’s dropped point against Swinton.

That has raised the stakes for John Kear’s men for their tasty clash with the second-placed Knights at Bootham Crescent, particularly with leaders Toronto next up.

Before then, the Bulls will have the rare luxury of their first free weekend in 2019 – and Kear sees that as an extra incentive to go all guns blazing in north Yorkshire.

He said: “This has come at a great time. I know we slipped up against Swinton but we have been playing well.

“We need another top-quality performance and then I’m going to give the players the following weekend off.

“Bradford Bulls have had a first team game every weekend since January 6. It will be a fully deserved rest.

“So, it’s a case of ‘get out there fellas and give it absolutely everything. Empty all your energy because you’ve got a well-earned break coming up and then come back revitalised for playing the leaders Toronto.’

“York are fully aware of the magnitude of this game as we are. But I’d suggest it’s a bigger game for us than it is for them.

“It’s almost a play-off for us. Our players surely realise that and they need to be ready to play very well indeed.”

York won 24-14 at Odsal in round four – one of only two home Championship defeats for the Bulls – and continue to fly high in their first season since both clubs came up together.

They rescued a late draw against Batley last week after a run of four straight wins and currently sit four points above the visitors.

Kear added: “They are always tough games. I thought the result earlier on in the season didn’t reflect the relative performance.

“We played quite well but just missed some chances and York took all of theirs and came away as winners.

“We know we’ll have to be good to have any chance at all because York are consistently good.

“That’s credit to James Ford and the players themselves.”

The Bulls are still one point off fifth-placed Featherstone but have the lowest points difference of the seven play-off contenders.

Knights coach Ford said: “What an accolade it is for League One, the two promoted sides to be both in and around the play-offs with six games to go.

“Bradford will fancy their run-in and fancy their chances of getting in the five.”

York hope to break the 4,221 attendance record set last year when the Bulls won 22-20 with the last kick of the game.