The battle to join Stevenage Borough in Coca-Cola League Two next season couldn`t be much closer after the first legs of the Blue Square Premier play-off finals on Thursday night.
York City edged their tie with favourites Luton Town by the only goal of the game at the KitKat Crescent, while Rushden & Diamonds and Oxford United shared a 1-1 draw at Nene Park in the other, so it`s all to play for to reach the Wembley showpiece on May 16th.
Richard Brodie grabbed a last-gasp winner to hand York their 1-0 win in front of a massive 6,204 crowd.
The two sides looked set to go into Monday`s clash at Kenilworth Road on level terms before Brodie popped up with a clinical volleyed finish from around twelve yards.
Defeat was a little harsh on the Hatters, although York enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening period, but it was the visitors who appeared more likely to make the breakthrough.
Keith Keane`s 30-yarder forced Michael Ingham into a fine save in the 18th minute, with Tom Craddock going close from the resulting corner.
The hosts responded well, with Brodie and Alex Lawless bringing saves from Mark Tyler. But Ingham was then called into further action to deny Fred Murray before Claude Gnakpa struck the post from Jake Howells` cross.
York were denied by the woodwork themselves early in the second half as Luke Graham saw his header come back off the upright.
Tyler was then in the right position to keep out a header from Brodie, while at the other end the lively Gnakpa fired over.
A draw appeared inevitable as the final whistle approached, but Brodie`s 89th minute effort handed the Minstermen the narrowest of advantages.
Diamonds came from behind to snatch their 1-1 draw against Oxford in front of a crowd of 4,535.
The U`s took a first half lead at Nene Park through James Constable, but the impressive Mark Byrne responded after the break to leave the tie delicately poised.
Byrne tested visiting goalkeeper Ryan Clarke early on, while Oxford`s Jack Midson missed the target with an ambitious overhead kick.
The hosts then went close through Craig Farrell`s header, but it was United who opened the scoring in the 29th minute when Constable volleyed home from 12 yards.
Aaron O`Connor could have equalised within 2 minutes, but failed to keep his header down after being picked out by Byrne`s cross.
O'Connor spurned a further opportunity immediately after the interval, but Diamonds did get back on level terms in the 51st minute when Byrne, fed by Terry, thumped a powerful shot past Clarke.
Diamonds substitute Jefferson Louis forced Clarke into a reflex stop from a header and Constable missed the target late on to ensure the two teams go into Monday's second leg at the Kassam Stadium on level terms and with all to play for.
