York 2, City 2 (aet – York win 4-2 on pens)

CITY'S reign as the cup – and spot-kick – kings was brought to a crashing halt on a night of high drama at Bootham Crescent.

Their reputation of never losing a penalty shoot-out has gone. After nine successive successes in the ultimate decider, the last against Arsenal on the way to Wembley three seasons ago, they lost their nerve against the League Two hosts.

City missed twice in the penalty showdown through Chris Routis and Tony McMahon – to go with an earlier, horrible miss from Alan Sheehan.

No wonder York celebrated with gusto. It had been 35 years since they last beat City, a run of 15 games since. It had been 18 years since they last won a game in this competition.

History could not have been tilted any further in City's favour – but their nerve failed them when it mattered as the opening week of the campaign continues in frustrating fashion. Once again they had scored first and ultimately lost.

Gary Liddle, whose omission on Saturday sparked fierce debate, was reinstated as one of six changes from the team that capitulated so unexpectedly against Swindon.

But there was no place for York old boy James Meredith, who was not even on the bench.

Skipper Stephen Darby was given the night off and sat alongside the Aussie in the main stand. McMahon switched to right back and his first clearance was charged down by Vadaine Oliver, who fired straight into Ben Williams' midriff.

Phil Parkinson had called this a big opportunity for the players coming in to stake their claim. But it was one retained from Saturday who broke the deadlock in stunning fashion.

Parkinson could also claim an assist for the Routis rocket as he directed the Frenchman to peel off the bunch and head for the far post as Sheehan pumped a free-kick into the box. It worked a treat.

The delivery was spot on – and so was the unmarked acrobatic volley which flew past a stunned Scott Flinders in goal.

As City looked to turn the screw, Steve Davies' cross was cleared as far as Sheehan, who let fly with a blast that Flinders beat away.

Luke James, partnering Davies in attack, was full of running and worried the home defence whenever he got the ball. He shrugged off two red shirts on one burst towards the edge of the box but scuffed his shot wide.

Routis also had the bit between his teeth and was a fraction away from a second goal five minutes before the break.

Once again it came from a free-kick, this time by McMahon – and once again York failed to notice the midfielder's movement. The ball landed perfectly for him and he tried to side-foot a placed volley into the far corner but it flashed just wide.

York, employing the same wing-back set-up that had caused City so many problems in the Swindon second half, had offered little resistance.

They picked up in the closing minutes as David Tutonda tried to 'do a Routis' from a lofted Luke Summerfield pass but his volley from wide ended in the packed away end.

Then McMahon made an important sliding block to turn an Oliver shot behind. But the capacity travelling army of 2,006 were enjoying their evening – if understandably a little wary of the dangers of a slender interval advantage.

And those fears were realised just minutes in as York were awarded a soft penalty.

Reece Thompson, the former non-League striker linked with the Bantams in the summer, went to ground very easily under pressure from Liddle. It convinced referee Mark Haywood and Summerfield sent Williams the wrong way from the spot.

It was a harsh blow for the Bantams – and suddenly a real test of character to ensure the demons from the weekend did not return.

York v City match pictures

Davies tried to banish them straight away with an emphatic header that flew wide before trying his luck with a chip from the edge of the box that Flinders clung on to above his head.

The unexpected equaliser had predictably given York a lift and there was nearly trouble with a bouncing long ball that McArdle could only half-clear. James Berrett hooked it over Williams but the shot was off target.

Paul Anderson made way for Josh Morris, City's best performer by a country mile at the weekend, and Billy Clarke replaced the industrious James.

But York continued to grow in belief and Summerfield should have done better from just outside the City area after a forceful move.

Then lightning struck twice with another City penalty miss.

Clarke's first run with the ball panicked the home side and Tutonda caught Davies from behind as he took the Irishman's pass.

There was no disputing the foul in the box this time, although there was an unseemly argument as to who would take it. Sheehan eventually stepped forward – and blazed a horrible effort high over the bar.

The game was becoming more stretched as Flinders saved unconvincingly from Clarke at one end and Thompson's low cross was hacked out of the six-yard box at the other.

James Hanson replaced Davies ten minutes from time as City chased a breakthrough – but instead it came from the buoyant hosts.

Rory McArdle caught Summerfield late inside the D and, after a delay while the centre half was yellow-carded, Berrett bent an unstoppable free-kick over the wall and beyond the diving Williams.

That looked curtains for City – until the last of the four added minutes. Routis stretched to cross low into a packed box, Clarke tried to control and Hanson latched on to the bobbling ball to fire into the bottom corner.

Having saved the day, Hanson then threatened to win it with a header inches over at the start of extra time.

But there was a scare as York substitute Jake Hyde's angled drive hit the outside of the post before the game went to penalties – and the Minstermen were not to be denied.

York: Flinders 6, Lowe 6, Winfield 6, Zubar 6, McCoy 6, Penn 7, Summerfield 7 (Carson 97, 7), Berrett 7, Tutonda 6, Thompson 8, Oliver 7 (Hyde 91, 7). Subs (not used): Nolan, Straker, McCombe, Godfrey, Ingham.

City: Williams 6, McMahon 6, McArdle 6, N Clarke 6, Sheehan 6, Anderson 6 (Morris 61, 7), Liddle 6, Routis 7, Marshall 7, James 7 (B Clarke 66, 7), Davies 6 (Hanson 80, 8). Subs (not used): Leigh, Knott, Mottley-Henry, Cracknell.

Referee: Mark Haywood (West Yorkshire).

Shots on target: York 4, City 5.

Shots off target: York 5, City 8.

Corners: York 2, City 7.

Fouls committed: York 13, City 9.

Bookings: Summerfield (York); Liddle, McArdle (City).

Attendance: 4,201.