 Winning six of their first eight matches in 1984 – 85 , York were top of the Third Division by early @-@ October 1984 . After a run of two wins from eleven matches they slipped to eleventh place in mid @-@ December 1984 , though they continued to occupy a top half position before finishing the season in eighth place . In January 1985 , York beat First Division side Arsenal 1 – 0 at home in the FA Cup fourth round , <unk> of a late penalty scored by Keith Houchen . They reached the fifth round for the third time and drew 1 – 1 at home to European Cup holders Liverpool . They lost 7 – 0 in the replay at Anfield — the club 's record cup defeat . York started 1985 – 86 well and were second in the table by late @-@ November 1985 , before a poor mid @-@ season spell saw them drop into mid @-@ table . After being unbeaten in the last nine matches , they finished seventh in the table , marking the fifth consecutive season in which York 's end @-@ of @-@ season league placing improved . They reached the FA Cup fifth round for the second consecutive season , again drawing 1 – 1 at home to Liverpool , before losing 3 – 1 after extra time at Anfield . York made a strong start to 1986 – 87 , and in late @-@ September 1986 they were in second place . They won only seven of their remaining thirty @-@ eight matches and needed a point from their last match to avoid the danger of relegation , which they achieved with a 1 – 1 draw against Notts County . York finished 1986 – 87 in twentieth place . 
