YORK City secured their return to the Vanarama National League after beating Boston United 2-0 in the play-off final.

Here are five things we learnt from a momentous afternoon at the LNER Community Stadium.

1. Professional display at most vital stage

Given everything at stake for both sides at the weekend, a free-flowing and expansive game was never to be expected and so it materialised.

With that said, York provided as professional a performance as one could have hoped for on such a stage.

In their first meaningful chance, Lenell John-Lewis buried the early opener and, unlike the semi-final trip to Brackley Town, it was hard to recall any glaring missed opportunities by Boston thereafter.

City had to chase, battle and dig in but did so with a level of control until Maziar Kouhyar's late strike, capitalising on a lack of numbers in the United backline.

Even the noise coming out of the Boston camp afterwards was keen to admit that York were deserving of this season-defining triumph.

2. The staggering turnaround under Askey continues

York's play-off final victory further underlined the remarkable turnaround seen under manager John Askey since his arrival in November.

One of the most widely quoted statistics, quite rightly, is City's leap from 15th at the start of February to fifth and now promotion winners by late May.

Equally as impressive though is the change in results against the division's best opposition.

In the regular season, AFC Fylde were the only team York beat inside the top eight.

To reel off three wins in normal time over Chorley, Brackley and Boston showed a York side with the mental strength to step up to the plate when it mattered most.

3. Clayton Donaldson proves age is just a number

There were several stand-out performers against Boston for York, with Akil Wright, Lenell John-Lewis and Maziar Kouhyar, as they have done for several weeks, impressing again.

However Clayton Donaldson was arguably the most eye-catching, particularly given that he appeared to have fallen below Jack McKay and Kurt Willoughby for a spot in the wing in the season's run-in.

Donaldson though started against both Brackley and Boston, saving his best until last this term, even at the age of 38.

The veteran chased every loose ball and lost cause as well as showing his tactical nous to cleverly win numerous fouls for his side at 1-0 up.

A goal - that almost came when he struck the crossbar in the first half - would have been merited for his overall display.

4. Incredible support reaches new heights

In many ways, it was fitting that York could finally escape the doldrums of regional football in front of a record home crowd.

Just short of 7,500 supporters, a new record at the LNER Community Stadium and York's best home crowd in 20 years, witnessed the occasion.

The noise for both goals, but particularly Kouhyar's decisive late strike, was astounding. Home grounds only feel like home after results like these.

5. Day to forget for Paul Cox

Having beaten York twice at the LNER in the regular season, with Kettering Town and Boston, Paul Cox appeared as somewhat of a bogey manager.

The fiery boss had a day to forget though as he repeatedly clashed with the officials, and even York coach Kingsley James at one point, on the touchline.

Aside from the goals, the loudest cheer came at Cox being yellow-carded.