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Barnet currently sit in fifth position in the Vanarama National League and currently hold a play-off spot, having gone unbeaten in their last five matches.

York, on the other hand, are struggling in 17th position, with five points separating City from the relegation zone and two wins from their last seven league games.

But after City failed to defeat lowly Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night, Morton is expecting a tough battle in Monday’s crucial clash with Barnet.

The Minstermen posted a resounding 5-0 victory over the Bees last October, with goals from Fraser Kerr, Alex Hurst, Sam Sanders and a brace from Lenell John-Lewis.

It was arguably York’s performance of the season, something Morton hopes will inspire a much-needed three-pointer on Monday night.

“It will be a tough game. I haven’t been watching their games, but I’ll see them tomorrow,” Morton explained.

“They are a physical team that like to get the ball up front, they have a lot of different weapons that will be a threat to us.

“But if you look back at the previous game, York came out on top and caused them a lot of trouble.

“I know that a player was sent off, but I thought that day he was fine and he played very well.

“If you look at it too, there have been games where teams have attacked them and they also have to play two games in three days.

“We just have to make sure we’re fresh and ready to go.

“Hopefully there’s a good crowd here and we can go and assert ourselves.”

Barnet is currently managed by Dean Brennan, who has a growing reputation in the game after meeting Wealdstone in their promotion to the National League in 2020.

It will be a first match between Morton and Brennan.

Morton also offered his take on the existing structure at Barnet, which has seen the Bees exceed their pre-season expectations to claim a play-off spot.

Last season Barnet finished 18th in the National League where they found themselves in a similar situation to York having managed just 50 points on the campaign, 17 fewer than they have so far this season.

“This is the first time I have faced him.

“Obviously I’ve seen it over the years when I went to a game at the weekend or if it was with York.

“But I’ve been watching them and obviously they’re a strong club in terms of their structure and they do things.”

“Obviously their coach has a good reputation and is doing a good job.

“I don’t know if their expectation was to be up there, but with the team and the coach, they were going to be in and around it.”