Under manager Denis Smith, York City were simply unstoppable, as they demonstrated on Saturday 5th October 1985 against newly-promoted Darlington, who were then struggling in 23rd place in the 'old' third division.
The Minstermen started the match in fourth place and netted as early as five minutes into the game against the lowly Quakers.
However, the effort from magical winger Tony Canham was disallowed for offside. But this was merely a taster for the main course that was to follow.
Darlington were soon forced back onto the defensive, desperately trying to repel wave after wave of City attacks, and on 14 minutes their resistance cracked.
Terrace hero and Bootham Crescent legend Keith Walwyn started the move by feeding York born right-winger Gary Ford. The pacey wide-man sent a pass to Canham, who fired past Fred Barber in the Darlington goal.
Three minutes later the magnificent Walwyn - all power, strength and determination - bludgeoned his way through the opposition defence to make it two.
Darlington's full-back Paul Ward was then sent-off for a second bookable offence midway through the opening half.
York had another goal disallowed when Ford netted, while Barber in the visitors' goal was under constant pressure as his overworked defence tried to fend off the incessant City attacks.
The Quakers were hanging on valiantly with only ten-men, but once into the second period the Minstermen simply raised their game another level.
On 63 minutes Walwyn was again the provider when free-scoring left-winger Canham defied his small stature to head in the striker's cross.
Four minutes later and Walwyn notched his second after being set up by the club's then record signing Dale Banton.
After 75 minutes Walwyn was once again heavily involved in the action when he was fouled in the area.
Regular penalty taker John MacPhail generously handed the ball towards Canham, who promptly smashed it home to complete his hat-trick.
The Minstermen were by now totally rampant and went on to add further superb strikes from full-back Steve Senior and FA Cup hero Keith Houchen during the final ten minutes.
York City: Astbury, Senior, Hay, McAughtrie (Hood), MacPhail, Haslegrave, Ford, Banton, Walwyn, Houchen, Canham
Goals: Canham 3 (14, 63, 75 pen), Walwyn 2 (17, 67), Senior (81), Houchen (84)
Darlington: Barber, Aldred, Ward, Tupling, Huntley (Haire), Carney, Roberts, Poskett, Airey, MacDonald, McLean
Goals: none
Ref: R.A. Banks (Manchester)
Att: 5,039
