York City 3 Rotherham United 0: Rotherham suffer Cup giantkilling as Rankine inspires lowly Minstermen

The game took a dramatic turn as Rotherham had been unlucky not to go in at half-time in the lead, Steve Brogan hitting the inside of the post and Adam Le Fondre shot over the bar after running clear.

But the second half was a different story as York went ahead with a 66th-minute effort from Chris Smith and Michael Rankine added two further goals as York strolled home and clinch a second-round visit to Darlington on November 27

It was the third time in four years that Rotherham had lost to a non-League club following Forest Green in 2008 and Luton Town last season.

York made three changes compared with the side which drew at home to Wrexham on Saturday, in came Jonathan Smith, Chris Smith and Chris Carruthers.

Robbie Weir and Ashley Chambers were both absentees as they were cup-tied.

Rotherham were without veteran goalkeeper Andy Warrington whose wife gave birth yesterday.

Le Fondre, Rotherham's leading scorer, made a dangerous early break but York cleared and when Carruthers centred Jamie Annerson did well to clear at the second attempt under pressure.

York missed a great chance to go ahead after four minutes when Danny Parslow made a brilliant run down the right, beating two defenders on the way, but then shot over the bar from eight yards, before Annerson dropped a Carruthers free kick but recovered to save.

Several Rotherham attacks were spoiled by misplaced passing. York were having the better of play and Rankine saw his shot deflected over the bar.

When Rotherham hit back David McGurk headed away under pressure after good work by Nicky Law.

Rotherham were unlucky not to go ahead after 24 minutes when Ryan Taylor slipped a pass through for Brogan to beat Michael Ingham with a cross-shot only to see the ball rebound to safety off the inside of the post.

Rotherham, now looking more dangerous, missed another chance when Brogan shot wide after a mistake by Djoumin Sangare.

Law shot across goal and then Le Fondre ran clear but shot over the bar. Parslow headed away from under the bar when Le Fondre centred from the right. Ryan Taylor had a shot blocked on the stroke of half time.

York resumed strongly and Rankine had a shot blocked.

Ryan Taylor, who had a fine game for the Millers, was not far away with a shot on the turn.

But then York took the lead in the 66th minute when Rankine crossed from the right and Chris Smith headed home from close range.

Four minutes later York went further ahead when substitute Jamal Fyfield was tripped by Luke Ashworth after a long run and Rankine scored from the penalty spot.

York had strong appeals for a second penalty turned down when Tom Newey appeared to handle a David McDermott centre.

But York settled it 11 minutes from time when Rankine worked an opening for himself despite being hemmed in by defenders and cracked a low shot at Annerson.

York City: Ingham, Parslow, McGurk, C Smith, Meredith, J Smith (Mackin 87), Sangare, Racchi, McDermott (Barrett 78), Rankine, Carruthers (Fyfield 62). Unused substitutes: Knight, Gash, Young, Constantine

Rotherham United: Annerson, Mullins, Ashworth, Fenton, Newey, Marshall, Law, Bradley, Brogan (Ellison 75), Le Fondre, R Taylor. Unused substitutes: Harrison, J Taylor, Green, Warne, Elliott, Banks.

Referee: D Coote (Newark).

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