 In September 1990 , York player David Longhurst collapsed and died after suffering heart failure during a home match against Lincoln City . A few months later , a newly built , covered stand at the Shipton Street End of Bootham Crescent was named after him . York were the Fourth Division 's second lowest scorers in 1990 – 91 , as they finished twenty @-@ first in the table . Douglas Craig , who had been on the board since 1978 , succeeded Michael Sinclair as chairman in June 1991 . York had won two of eleven matches by mid @-@ October 1991 ; Bird was sacked and was replaced in November by Aston Villa assistant manager John Ward . York continued to be placed in lower mid @-@ table , and finished fourth from bottom for the second year running in 1991 – 92 . They started 1992 – 93 with a club @-@ record start of four wins , and led the table until late @-@ December 1992 . Ward left for Bristol Rovers in March 1993 , shortly after a mid @-@ season slump in which York won only one of thirteen matches . Ward 's assistant Alan Little took over and York finished the season in fourth place . They played Bury in the play @-@ off semi @-@ final , drawing the first leg 0 – 0 at Gigg Lane before winning the second leg 1 – 0 at home with a goal from Gary Swann . In the final at Wembley Stadium , York beat Crewe Alexandra 5 – 3 on penalties , after the score had finished 1 – 1 after extra time . Wayne Hall scored the decisive penalty as York won promotion into the third tier , now named the Second Division after the formation of the Premier League in 1992 . 
