A goal on his debut from Lee Cook was enough to secure three points for York against lack-lustre Exeter.
The Grecians enjoyed a lively opening and Neil Whitworth headed Andy Roscoe's corner just over the bar in the opening minutes.
Don Goodman then picked out James Coppinger with a fine pass and the young winger struck the ball into the arms of Alan Fettis from ten yards.
Steve Flack then pounced on a moment of indecision by Fettis but the striker, faced with an open goal, struck the ball inches wide from a tight angle.
But York began to play the better football. Cook found Lee Nogan inside the box with a fine pass midway through the half but Michael Simpkins cleared the danger.
Nogan then found Darren Edmondson with a neat back-heel and his dangerous low cross was well saved by Kevin Miller.
Cook, on-loan from Watford, caused Exeter all sorts of problems. He found Peter Duffield with another fine pass but his shot was scuffed past the post.
Cook got his reward three minutes before half time when the 20-year-old scored his first league goal. He skipped into the box and smashed the ball past Miller from 12 yards.
Exeter chased the game in the second half but there was no way through and it was York who looked more like scoring again. Cook struck the post after his low shot from a tight angle flew past Miller.
Duffield then forced Miller to save well with a powerful shot as York pressed forward.
Glenn Cronin twice failed to find the target with close-range shots for Exeter and Goodman headed tamely into the arms of Fettis from close range after meeting Coppinger's cross.
After the game York boss Terry Dolan said: "I was delighted with the way we played and getting the three points was the most important thing for us today."