York City will consider themselves unlucky not to have at least earned a replay against second division high-flyers Barnsley.
In a hard-fought Yorkshire derby, York pushed the Tykes all the way and went ahead through Lee Nogan. Isaiah Rankin equalised within two minutes, and Kevin Betsy's solo goal late on earned Barnsley a trip to Bristol City in round two.
After a quiet opening with York going close through Dave Merris, Nogan and Mitch Ward, the game exploded on the half hour.
Midfielders Ward and Jacob Burns clashed in midfield and a melee involving all the players except Barnsley keeper Sasa Ilic followed. For their parts, Ward and Burns were lucky to escape with yellow cards from referee Mr Pearson.
Minutes later the Minstermen went ahead. Richard Cooper won a loose ball 25 yards out and slipped a pass to Nogan, who fired in a right foot shot from 20 yards, which took a deflection off Craig Ireland and beat the wrongfooted Ilic.
Two minutes later player-boss Chris Brass gifted the Tykes an equaliser. After a series of passes among the defenders, Brass was caught in possession by Rankin. The nippy striker broke clear 30 yards out and coolly slotted home from the edge of the box.
The half ended with Merris being booked for a clash with substitute Neil Austin as referee Pearson appeared to lose control.
Barnsley bossed proceedings after the break with Mark Ovendale twice making fine saves to deny strikers Betsy and Rankin.
York slowly got back into the game and created chances of their own when Darren Dunning curled a free-kick around the wall but Ilic saved well. Then from another free-kick Chris Smith arrived late at the far post and nudged his effort just wide.
At the other end Barnsley's man of the match Betsy showed his skills in controlling a long ball, beating Brass for pace, and shooting only inches wide.
In the closing stages City created two excellent chances. First Nogan cleverly back-heeled into the path of the onrushing Merris, whose effort just flew over. Then Nogan ran at the Tykes defence and squared to Lee Bullock who shot tamely at keeper Ilic.
That proved to be a costly miss for York, as moments later Betsy scored what proved to be the winner.
A quick incisive break ended with Betsy blocking Richard Hope's clearance on the edge of the area. The skilful striker then went past two defenders and coolly slotted home a quality finish eight minutes from time.