 York made a good start to 1993 – 94 , before a series of poor results saw them slip to seventeenth place in late @-@ November 1993 . They only lost five of their last thirty fixtures to finish the season fifth in the Second Division table — their highest league placing since 1976 . They lost to Stockport County in the play @-@ off semi @-@ final , being beaten 1 – 0 in the second leg at Edgeley Park after drawing 0 – 0 at home in the first leg . York were in lower mid @-@ table for the first half of 1994 – 95 , but improving form saw them move up the table , before finishing in ninth place . They struggled through most of 1995 – 96 , and only avoided relegation by winning their last match away to Brighton & Hove Albion ; they finished in twentieth place . This season saw York record a 4 – 3 aggregate victory over Manchester United in the League Cup second round . York defeated a strong United side including some younger players 3 – 0 at Old Trafford in the first leg ; in the second leg United fielded some more experienced players , but York defeated them 3 – 1 to progress on aggregate . United went on to win the Premier League and FA Cup double . York finished twentieth in 1996 – 97 , only securing safety in the penultimate match with an away win over Rotherham United . For the second consecutive season , they eliminated Premier League opponents from the League Cup in the second round , with a 4 – 3 aggregate win over Everton . After drawing the first leg 1 – 1 at Goodison Park , York progressed after winning the second leg 3 – 2 at home . In mid @-@ December 1997 , York were fourth in the table , but declining form after New Year saw them finish 1997 – 98 in sixteenth place . 
