Lincoln City v York City: Minstermen one win over FA Cup giantkillers from Wembley

The Minstermen head to Lincoln City for the decisive semi-final second leg with a precious 2-1 lead.

Danny Cowley’s Imps, who recently became the first non-League side to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals in 103 years, are odds on to progress to the Wembley final on May 22 despite trailing at ‘half-time’.

That, though, was the scenario facing Mills’ York five years ago when Luton Town, trailing by one goal from the first leg, were expected to progress in the return at Kenilworth Road.

“We have got the spirit and players there that can do it,” said Mills, whose side beat the Hatters 2-1 on aggregate to reach Wembley.

“We just need to go there and make sure we don’t lose. And if we don’t lose, then I have got a new suit.”

York have endured a miserable season and face an uphill task to stay in the National League.

Just two defeats in their last 17 league and Cup outings, however, suggest a corner has been turned under Mills.

“It is great to go there with a lead and we certainly did not want to go there 1-0 down,” he added.

“We can only play one way and we were a quarter of an hour away from keeping a clean sheet there a couple of weeks ago (in the league, when York drew 1-1).

“We had got ourselves a goal and if we go and get the same result as we did two or so weeks ago, then we get to Wembley, simple as that.”

Mills’ tally of appearances at Wembley, both old and new, as a player or manager, runs into double figures.

“It is a great feeling,” he said. “You don’t get too many opportunities and you do not get there (to Wembley) too easy, either. We will have to work hard for it.

“In the previous rounds, we have worked hard. We had to work really hard again in the first leg and the lads were on their knees.”