The Minstermen wasted a number of first-half opportunities but were still good enough to leave League Two promotion hopefuls Rotherham United with a draw in the FA Cup first round.
More than one thousand travelling fans backed the visitors superbly and probably left the game with rather mixed feelings as York comfortably did enough to win at the first attempt.
That was after chances came and went for their side before the break, with James Meredith (twice), Peter Till and particularly David McDermott having good opportunities to take advantage of some really excellent approach work.
It was far more even during the second period, however, although Michael Rankine could still have won it for the away side right at the death when forcing a late save from ex-York goalkeeper Andy Warrington.
Manager Gary Mills organised the visitors well after making a couple of changes that witnessed Djoumin Sangare being included in a protective central midfield role, with Till and McDermott flanking lone striker Rankine.
The free-scoring Adam Le Fondre was always likely to be the major threat for the home side and he twice tried his luck inside the opening ten minutes. But York were certainly giving as good as they were getting and Jonathan Smith forced Warrington into a comfortable save before Rankine sent a rising drive over.
The first real moment of danger for the visitors arose on eighteen minutes when Michael Ingham came out to smother ahead of Le Fondre following good work from Ryan Taylor. However, York instantly swept to the other end with a fine Alex Lawless pass allowing Meredith to be only denied by skipper Ryan Cresswell’s timely block – with Till driving the follow-up wide of the right-hand post.
York had an even better chance midway through the half as McDermott exchanged passes with Rankine but lacked sufficient composure when ideally placed and sliced badly off-target.
The Millers responded with Nicky Law scooping onto the roof of the net after Ingham had lost control of a Johnny Mullins cross and Danny Harrison heading over a Jason Taylor delivery. Danny Parslow then crossed at the opposite end for Rankine to head straight at Warrington.
Another chance came the visitors way right on the stroke of half-time and once again it was Meredith showing his attacking qualities when drilling narrowly over from twelve-yards.
The second-half was to prove less eventful in the way of genuine scoring opportunities, although York required a timely McDermott clearance after Ingham had again failed to gather a corner.
The ever-dependable David McGurk also showed his defensive credentials for the visitors with a great challenge on Ryan Taylor, while Till looped a tame header at Warrington from a McDermott free-kick as York began forcing a number of corners.
But Rotherham were certainly appearing more threatening themselves and Ingham was required to punch clear a couple of inviting corner deliveries at the opposite end.
York’s recalled winger Till had continued to give his former Grimsby team-mate Tom Newey plenty to think about until finally limping off with thirteen minutes remaining.
That wasn’t enough to stop the visitors forcing three successive corners during the closing stages, when the hard-working Rankine also sent veteran keeper Warrington down to his right to make a late save.
Rotherham United: Warrington, Mullins, Cresswell, Fenton, Newey, Law, Harrison, J. Taylor, Marshall, Le Fondre, R. Taylor
subs (unused): Pope, Brogan, Green, Ashworth, Ellison, Warne, Annerson
York City: Ingham, Parslow, McGurk, C. Smith, Meredith, Till (Racchi 75), Lawless, Sangare, J. Smith, McDermott (Fyfield 90), Rankine
subs (unused): Knight, Carruthers, Barrett, Young, Constantine
Ref: K. Evans (Greater Manchester)
Att: 3,227 (1,104 York)
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