He was replaced by former Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington, who led York to safety from relegation on the final day of the season.

[4] Following the previous season's conclusion Moses Ashikodi, Matthew Blinkhorn, Eugen Bopp and Scott Brown were released,[5][6] while James Meredith, Adriano Moke and Danny Pilkington departed for Bradford City, Cambridge United and Kidderminster Harriers respectively.

[7][8][9] Jon Challinor, Chambers, Chris Doig, Jamal Fyfield, Michael Ingham, Scott Kerr and Daniel Parslow signed new contracts with York.

[20] Midfielder Tom Platt, the previous season's youth-team captain and Youth Team Player of the Year, entered the first-team squad after agreeing a professional contract.

[36] York recorded their first point of the season after drawing 2–2 away to Morecambe, with Chris Smith and Chambers scoring the team's goals in the second half.

[39] Coulson scored after 15 seconds to give York the lead at home to league leaders Oxford United, and with further goals from Chambers and Paddy McLaughlin the team went on to win 3–1.

[46][47] York's run of four matches without victory came to an end after a 2–0 win away to Aldershot Town, with Blair and Walker scoring in the second half.

[48] The previous season's Conference Premier champions Fleetwood Town defeated York 2–0 at home, with goals in each half scored by Junior Brown and Steven Gillespie.

[49] Peterborough United midfielder Daniel Kearns was signed on a one-month loan[50] and made his debut as a substitute in York's 0–0 home draw with Rotherham.

[60] Blair gave York the lead at home to Northampton Town, and despite playing most of the match with ten men, the away team equalised through Adebayo Akinfenwa.

[62] He made his debut in York's home league match against AFC Wimbledon, which finished as a 3–0 defeat, with the visitors scoring their goals in the second half.

[67] York fell to a second successive home defeat after being beaten 2–0 by Torquay United, the away team scoring in each half through Danny Stevens and Joe Oastler.

[87] Platt was loaned out for the second time in a season, joining Conference North club FC Halifax Town for one month.

[93][94] Striker David McDaid was signed from League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City on a one-and-a-half-year contract for a small compensation fee,[95][96][97] while defender Curtis Obeng was signed on a one-month loan from Premier League club Swansea City after Lanre Oyebanjo was ruled out for around six weeks with a fractured skull.

[100] Burton midfielder John McGrath and Aldershot striker Michael Rankine were signed on loan, with the former joining for one month and the latter for the rest of the season.

[110] Mills was dismissed after nearly two and a half years in charge on 2 March 2013 after York were beaten 2–0 at home to Bradford, with the team sitting four points above the relegation zone after an 11-match run without a win.

[111][112] Former Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington was appointed as his successor two days later, with Fred Barber joining from Bury as his assistant.

[121] Carson made his debut in York's 2–0 home defeat to Port Vale, who scored in each half through Jennison Myrie-Williams and Lee Hughes.

[130] The team were denied a second successive win after Peter Murphy scored a stoppage-time equaliser for Accrington, with the match finishing a 1–1 home draw, after Adam Reed had given York the lead in first half stoppage time.

[70] Cresswell was recalled from his loan by new Sheffield United caretaker manager Chris Morgan,[135] after making an important contribution for York in their battle against relegation.

[137][138] Before the Southend match Parslow was named Clubman of the Year, voted for by the York supporters, becoming the first player to win the award on three occasions.

[142] Ahead of the new season, York released Bullock, Challinor, Doig, Everson, Kerr, McDaid, McLaughlin, Potts, Jamie Reed and Walker,[143][144] while Blair left to sign for Fleetwood.

[146] The club signed goalkeeper Chris Kettings on loan from Blackpool,[147] defender Ben Davies on loan from Preston North End,[148] midfielders Craig Clay from Chesterfield[149] and Lewis Montrose from Gillingham,[150] winger Sander Puri from St Mirren[151] and strikers Ryan Bowman from Hereford United,[152] Cresswell from Sheffield United,[153] Wes Fletcher from Burnley[147] and Ryan Jarvis from Torquay.

[149] Defender Mike Atkinson and striker Chris Dickinson entered the first-team squad from the youth team after agreeing professional contracts.