York suffered from a sucker-punch last minute winner after mounting a stirring comeback from 3-0 down on Friday afternoon.
The White Rose started sluggishly, failing to get their passing game into gear and paid the price early on.
A Lancaster shot from a short corner, which took a wicked deflection, trickled agonisingly under the stick of Sally Dolton on the line.
Seconds later, Lancaster doubled their lead. It was a scrappy goal which the York defence will feel they could have handled better.
Shortly after Lancaster grabbed a third. A mix-up between goalkeeper Kate Atherton and her defence for the Lancaster striker slotted home.
When the half time whistle sounded, few on the touchlines would have predicted against Lancaster extending their lead and completing an emphatic victory.
However, at the very start of the second half, Sally Warrington clipped in a terrific finish when through one-on-one with the ‘keeper, providing York with a foothold.
York were beginning to play some wonderful passes now and chances were being created almost at will.
Alix Hayward got York’s second and with it a huge chunk of hope. A quick one-two between Anna Williamson and Hannah Harrison set up Hayward who powered home.
York pushed for an equaliser and with five minutes remaining, Anna Williamson tapped beyond the Lancaster goalkeeper after running clean through.
York almost stole a winner when a shot from Kirsten Roberts dragged a powerful shot just wide.
Lancaster had the last laugh, though, and barely deserved the win after a horrific second-half display. York will feel very hard done by, but can take pride in their stunning comeback.