Matty Blair was once again on the mark to earn York City an FA Trophy quarter-final visit to Grimsby Town following a narrow 1-0 victory over former winners Ebbsfleet United at Bootham Crescent.
The in-form Blair bundled in his fifteenth goal of the season from Jason Walker's whipped cross early in the second-half, but the hosts made hard work of it against always uncompromising opposition.
Walker was returning from an absence of almost three months through injury and should have finally settled the issue after Blair was brought down by Joe Howe in injury-time. But he managed only to direct his penalty against an upright.
York included a trio of new signings but were never really on their game, appearing particularly rusty during the opening half after more than a fortnight without action.
Patrick McLaughlin saw an effort tipped over by Fleet goalkeeper Preston Edwards after Erik Tonne's header had been blocked. The Northern Ireland Under-21 international also had a later attempt charged down by Paul Lorraine.
Ebbsfleet appeared dangerous on the break but Michael Ingham had few concerns from on loan Reading striker Gozie Ugwu's strike before Blair glanced the visitors ahead at the far post from Walker's cross early in the second-half.
Howe replied by drilling straight at Ingham, who also smothered well as Liam Enver-Marun seized upon a mistake from Chris Doig, while fellow York newcomer Tonne flashd a shot wide and Blair also continued to offer regular threat.
But Callum Willock should have done better when blazing over at the opposite end with only three minutes remaining before Walker missed his penalty and home substitute Jamie Reed then hoisted over an even later opportunity.
York City: Ingham, Challinor, Smith, Doig, Meredith (Parslow 84), Kerr, McLaughlin, Tonne (Chambers 63), Blair, Walker, Swallow (Reed 63)
subs (unused): Pilkington, Blinkhorn
Goals: Blair (48)
Ebbsfleet United: Edwards, Stone, Lorraine, Mambo, Howe, Phipp, Marwa, Enver-Marum, Willock, Ugwu, Pinney (Shakes 80)
subs (unused): McNeil, Smith, Barrett, Stadrinou
Ref: R. Clark
Att: 1,419
