SOUTH SHIELDS recorded their greatest ever victory as Gavin Cogdon’s stoppage-time winner knocked York City out of the FA Cup.

Cogdon’s strike at a sold-out Mariners Park sent Shields into today’s fourth qualifying round draw, and marked the end of the line for York boss Gary Mills, who was dismissed shortly after the final whistle.

South Shields looked to have been cruising when they opened up a two-goal lead, only for National League North side York to peg them back with two goals of their own. However, Cogdon’s late strike settled things, sparking jubilant scenes amongst the 2,806-strong crowd.

The Mariners enjoyed a perfect start, with Carl Finnigan converting a ninth-minute penalty after Jamie Holmes had been fouled in the box.

Their dominance was rewarded again before the break as former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca rounded off a flowing move involving Rob Briggs with a slick finish.

The Evo-Stik North leaders looked to be cruising to victory at that stage, but were pegged back when York claimed two goals in two minutes after the hour mark.

Sean Newton claimed the first, drilling in a low drive that squirmed under Jack Norton, and the Shields goalkeeper was at fault again as the visitors immediately claimed an equaliser.

Norton failed to gather Amari Morgan-Smith’s cross, enabling veteran striker Jon Parkin to swivel and stab home from close range.

A replay looked on the cards at that stage, but Shields claimed a winner in the dying seconds. Dillon Morse headed Arca’s corner towards the goal, and Cogdon glanced the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

Mills vowed to fight on in the immediate aftermath, but the decision was taken out of his hands later on Saturday evening as York issued a statement confirming his dismissal.

York chairman Jason McGill said: “It is never an easy decision to sack a manager, but the club needs to take this action based on the evidence of performances and results over the course of the last 12 months.

“Having kept faith with Gary Mills in the wake of relegation last season, we are now 12 games into the new campaign and the current league position is unacceptable.”