 The team played a passing style in the first half of the season, before often grinding out results with "The Press" saying they "compensated for a loss of craft with bundles of graft".After beating Mansfield Town 2–1 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final, York were 2–0 victors over Newport County at Wembley Stadium in the 2012 FA Trophy Final; this was the first time the club had won a national knockout competition in its 90-year history.Eight days later Mills took his York team back to Wembley Stadium for the 2012 Conference Premier play-off Final, and following a 2–1 victory over Luton Town with goals from Ashley Chambers and Blair, York were promoted to League Two, ending an eight-year absence from the Football League.