FA CUP: Darlington 0-2 York City: York earn their fairytale ticket after braving the wintry chills

Mind you, the Darlington supporters who helped shovel snow off the pitch from 5.30am on Saturday morning probably wish they hadn't bothered now.

For it was visitors York City who went home with the ticket to the third round, a place where footballing fairytales are so often written and heroes born.

Goals from Djoumin Sangare and Ashley Chambers settled a clash between two clubs who have dropped out of the Football League in the last six years.

And, although winning promotion is the top priority, York City are still looking to go as far as they can in a competition which brings financial rewards, builds memories, and offers a chance to remind others they are still around.

With just 30 minutes to go before kick-off, there was still a question mark hanging over the game.

News of a late postponement at nearby Hartlepool had also fuelled fears that heavy snow was heading in the Darlington direction.

Despite investing in an undersoil heating system, the club's boilers, according to locals, do not generate enough power to make it work – which kind of defeats the object!

And as the players warmed up in bobble hats, gloves, and scarves, a solitary groundsman was still battling bravely to clear the pitch markings with a broom.

To huge sighs of relief all around, the snow stopped falling just in the nick of time. There was only a thin layer of the white stuff still on the ground but enough to warrant use of the orange winter ball.

The mounds of snow that had been cleared earlier, formed a white wall around the perimeter of the pitch.

"Your ground is too big for you," chanted 1,400 travelling York supporters – possibly, the understatement of the season.

For, in his wisdom, former Darlington owner George Reynolds decided that the north east needed another 'big' club and built a 20,000 all seater stadium when, on average, only 5,000 people where coming through the turnstiles.

Now, after being relegated from the Football League last season, Darlington's gates have dropped to less than 2,000.

The Darlington Arena is the 'Wembley' of the Blue Square Premier with its plush interiors, glass lifts, and elevators to two floors. It puts many grounds in the Championship to shame, such is its splendour but, alas, is wasted on a club of this size.

It may, however, be one of the reasons why former Manchester United and Sheffield United winger Keith Gillespie has turned up at the club.

Sadly, the former Northern Ireland international is now a pale shadow of the player he once was.

Gillespie, 35, rarely broke sweat and spent most of the game shuffling around the centre of the pitch waiting for passes that never arrived. On the few occasions that he did have the ball at his feet, he was unable to pass with the accuracy required to pose any sort of threat.

Laughably, he still won the 'Man of the Match' award – presumably so the match sponsors could shake hands with somebody famous!

Darlington had enjoyed the better of the first half but were caught napping by a York sucker punch moments before the break.

Striker Michael Rankine had finally stopped complaining about those marking him and used his own sizeable frame to win a header with Danny Hone.

The ball fell invitingly for Frenchman Djoumin Sangare who pushed between two defenders and applied the finishing touch.

Darlington dished out plenty of the rough stuff; their manager, Mark Cooper, is the son of Terry a key member of the legendary Leeds side under Don Revie.

York, who lost midfielder Jonathan Smith to a badly gashed shin early on, were unable to settle the contest until the final moments of game.

Rankine headed over from close range and Peter Till was also unlucky to be foiled by Ian Miller after a great surge up the field. Rankine also failed to spot Danny Racchi when York had a two-against-one situation on the counter.

Darlington's best opportunity fell to Michael Brough late on but his goalbound shot was nodded wide by York's James Meredith.

At the death, Rankine broke away again and, this time, played the right pass, leaving midfielder Chambers with a tap-in at the far post.

York's players celebrated in the snow at the side of the pitch and then performed the 'in-line dive' for their fans after the final whistle.

For new manager Gary Mills, this season may now signal his first major success in the oldest and most celebrated Cup competition in the world.

By his own admission, it has rarely been to kind to him down the years. He got as far as the quarterfinal stage with Nottingham Forest, but at a time when they expected more, and has never previously reached the third round in over a decade in non-league football.

"To get this far is fantastic. It is magical, it is special, and we all have our own reasons to want to do well," he said afterwards.

"Financially, you want the big one, but, if you get a second division or a team in your own division, then take it to the fourth round.

"We know we are not going to win this competition but, hopefully, the last few weeks have put the smiles back on the faces of the supporters."

York are unbeaten in the last six games under Mills and have won the last four. In four FA Cup ties, they have still to concede a goal.

"When I walked in on day one (October 13) there were people walking around the club feeling sorry for themselves, people with no confidence, there was a hangover from missing out on promotion last season," he said.

"But this is a tough enough job without worrying about what might have been. I am trying to get rid of that and we are now looking to the future."

As the York supporters drove back down the A1 on Saturday night, they were certainly looking forward to whatever comes next – an away day at Bolton.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Chris Smith

The York City captain was a colossus at the back, winning the majority of headers, and along with David McGurk kept the Darlington strikers under lock and key.

Villain: The Sponsors

The Darlington match sponsors who came to the baffling conclusion that new signing Keith Gillespie should be awarded Man of the Match.

Key moment

85th minute: York defender James Meredith turns a shot wide from Michael Brough as Darlington press for a late equaliser. A priceless header at a crucial time.

Ref Watch

Paul Tierney. Had to keep a close eye on the Darlington challenges which were bordered on cynical at times and flashed six yellow cards.

Verdict

A close game on a slippy pitch but York just about edged the contest and now look forward to a date in the FA Cup third round.

Quote of the day

I don't know what he was doing there, he is supposed to be the holding midfielder!

– York manager Gary Mills reflecting on Sangare's goal.

Next game

Kidderminster Harriers, away, tomorrow, Blue Square Premier League.

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