Aidan Connolly sprung a surprise as his second-half strike was enough for York City to come from a goal down to beat Lincoln City 2-1 in the first leg of their Buildbase FA Trophy semi-final first leg at Bootham Crescent.
Gary Mills’ side sit 21 places below Lincoln in the National League table, and with the Imps still riding high after their Emirates FA Cup run to the quarter-finals – which culminated in defeat at Arsenal last weekend – they entered this clash as underdogs.
Lincoln took the lead early on as Lee Angol, on loan from Peterborough United, converted a 13th-minute penalty after a foul by Hamza Bencherif while Sam Habergham fired narrowly wide with a spectacular volley minutes later.
York still remained dangerous though and striker Jon Parkin will be disappointed he did not do better with a tame effort just before the half-hour mark.
It did not take York long to draw level after the break though, as a fine pass from Amari Morgan-Smith found Vadaine Oliver, who coolly fired home.
That swung the momentum York’s way and they took advantage with 21 minutes remaining when Adriano Moke’s powerful run concluded with his shot going in off a delighted Connolly.
Lincoln pushed hard and forced Kyle Letheren into a couple of fine saves, but York held on for an impressive win.
The side’s meet again in the second leg on Saturday.
