Darlington did their confidence the world of good with an emphatic victory in the LDV Vans Trophy at Bootham Crescent last night.
Quakers never looked back after they scored twice within a minute early in the game and they went on to score more than two goals in a game for only the third time this season.
And there was more good news for manager Gary Bennett when midfielder Jesper Hjorth successfully completed his return from injury, while there were no yellow cards dished out.
Quakers with six players missing because of injury stunned their hosts with a double-whammy early in the game.
First, Stuart Elliott scored from the spot after nine minutes after a powerul run from the right by David McMahon which ended when he was tripped by York defender Darren Patterson inside the area.
And within a minute, Richard Hodgson broke into the box on the opposite side, pulled the ball back onto his right foot and his low shot was deflected past helpless keeper Russell Howarth.
York, who were fielding virtually a full strength team, should have equalised after 17 minutes when Christian Fox found himself unmarked ten yards out but he put the ball well over the bar.
That signalled a spell of York pressure but timely clearances by Phil Brumwell and Craig Liddle broke up home attacks before Frank Van Der Geest went down to his left to hold onto a low shot from Alex Mathie.
Quakers nearly got a third just before half time when a flick by Adam Marsh sent Jesper Hjorth racing clear but the Dane failed to get past the keeper and Marsh, from 40 yards, out was just wide with a lob from the rebound.
Quakers scored the goal of the game after 50 minutes.
McMahon picked up a throw-in from the right turned his man well and struck a sweet left foot shot which went into the net off the inside of the far post.
After McMahon was inches wide from a free-kick Quakers sent their travelling fans wild with delight with a fourth after 69 minutes.
A deep corner from Elliott found Hjorth on the far side of the box, and the midfielder's powerful return shot appeared to be going wide until Craig Liddle popped up and headed the ball into the roof of the net from six yards out.
Quakers nearly added further goals as York caved in.
Substitute Gary Williamson took too long when he had just the keeper to beat, Hodgson fired wide from the edge of the box and Reed was unlucky with a header.
And the impressive McMahon was inches wide on two occasions from adding a fifth as Quakers, who will be at home to Shrewsbury in the second round, coasted to a comfortable victory.
Manager Gary Bennett said: "We got an early goal for once and we went on from there. I thought we played some very good football and there were a lot of pluses in the performance.
"We could've scored more than four."
l A goal from Newcastle's Argentinian striker Facundo Bonvin sent Newcastle Utd Res. into the semi finals of the Northumberland Senior cup at Whitley Bay with a 2-1 win.
James Coppinger put United ahead after 19 minutes but Steve Cuggy equalised within a minute, firing home from 12 -yards.
Newcastle Reserves: Karelse, McGuffie, Beharall, S Caldwell, G Cadlwell, Kerr, (Boyd, 58), Gavilan, Green, Coppinger, (Gall, 74), Bonvin, Dimas. Subs (not used); Cowan, Grindlay.
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