MANAGER Steve Watson has hailed York City's pack mentality following their 2-0 win over Leamington.

Alex Kempster and Jordan Burrow got the all-important goals either side of half-time for the table-topping Minstermen - but they needed solid, switched-on defensive work to make them count.

This was York's fourth clean sheet in five National League North games - and the fourth in a row - ably protected by keeper Peter Jameson and good work from the three centre-backs.

Further up the pitch, Kieran Green put in a good performance, pressing high to win the ball back in attacking areas, and Adriano Moke has been putting a good shift in the middle third since pre-season.

Watson said: "You have to have a lot of people putting bodies on the line and it's a cracking record defensively, conceding one goal in five games.

"And that's everybody - Jordan Burrow from defensive corners is immense, Greeny wins a lot and so does Moke in midfield.

"We defend as a team and we attack as a team."

Despite this being City's fifth game in three weeks, Watson made only one substitution, bringing Nathan Dyer on for Green with just two minutes to go.

"There wasn't too much to change and you don't make changes for the sake of it," he explained.

"Tuesday, I made the changes because we were 3-0 up and so players could get a rest."

Though the game looked more or less a done deal at 2-0, there were still some nervy moments for York and over the final half hour, they were still going for the killer goal.

Watson added: "If we had got the third goal it would have been more comfortable. Hats off to Pete, that's his fourth clean sheet in a row. In fairness to their keeper, he's made four or five fantastic saves.

"We were a little bit wasteful in certain areas, but our work this week has come good, on getting across the keeper at the front post.

"But when you win a game 2-0 and you're top of the league, it seems crazy to pick out too many faults.

"There's a lot to come from this group.

"The ball from Newts to Greeny was a different class (at Blyth) and Greeny was unfortunate not to score again today.

"We had another couple of good chances with both wing-backs in the box. It shows we're adventurous.

"I'm delighted for Jordan.

"They'll have another well-earned breather and go again next week.

"When you get games coming, especially two in three days, that's where having good options on the bench is important.

"Over the next two games, I would suggest we'll need all the bodies."