Brian Noble’s side had lost their previous two encounters against Mark Applegarth’s men this season, and that record strengthened for the Knights.
In claiming victory, York seized the opportunity to go level on points with league leaders Toulouse following the French side’s defeat at Halifax on Saturday.
Jesse Dee returned to the fold for York, providing Applegarth with a huge boost ahead of the all-Yorkshire showdown.
For the visitors, new loan signings Connor Carr and Fenton Rogers were both present, with the former coming straight into the starting lineup on the wing, replacing the injured Guy Armitage.
Rogers, meanwhile, started the contest on the interchange bench.
Bradford’s loose forward, Eribe Doro, was a key component in one of the away side’s first meaningful attacks, earning the visitors a penalty after being pushed to the ground following a play the ball situation.
Lilley opted for the kicking tee and stroked his side into a 2-0 lead from just in front of the post after four minutes.
The hosts fought back strongly, however, and were causing all sorts of problems on Bradford’s left-edge, with York targeting both Kieran Gill and winger Carr.
The Knights managed to score two quick fire tries, both coming on Bulls’ left-hand side.
Ben Jones-Bishop was first to touch down and he did so with extreme ease.
Ata Hingano played a high bomb to the right wing and both Gill and Carr failed to put the ball into touch; instead, they palmed it to Jones-Bishop to casually place the ball down for a score.
Liam Harris dragged his conversion attempt wide of the posts.
Things got better for the home side and Harris just six minutes later, as York’s number seven darted through Bradford’s backline on the right-edge to double Knights’ tally.
This time, Harris’ kick was good and Applegarth’s men now led 10-2.
York looked to be in the ascendancy and heading for a third straight win over Noble’s side but the visitors responded well.
On minute 32, Keyes sent a delightful lofted pass over to Jayden Okunbor on the right wing and the powerhouse had an easy job of finishing the attack in the corner.
Lilley added the conversion to make it 10-8 in York’s favour.
Bradford’s kicker then had the chance to level the scores just before the break, but he dragged the penalty wide of the posts from 20 metres out.
Seconds before the half-time hooter, the hosts thought they had scored a killer try but the referee had adjudged the York man to have played a forward pass and instead the effort was disallowed.
The Bulls started the second half at a ferocious pace but weren’t able to unlock the home defence, despite having four consecutive sets to do so.
Instead, it would be York who breached Noble’s side’s backline with their first foray into Bradford’s half after the interval.
The ball was worked left to Oli Field and despite having Scott Galeano on his outside, Knights’ centre went himself and darted through to touch down for York.
Harris’ conversion attempt hit the right post and bounced back into play, leaving the score at 14-8 in favour of the home side.
Bradford then came forward and an early Keyes kick found Okunbor on the right-wing. The Australian plucked the ball out of the air, before spinning for the line.
Bulls’ winger looked to have grounded the ball for a try, but the referee disagreed and instead gave the visitors a penalty for an illegal mid-air shot.
Moments later, Carr put Jones-Bishop into touch to prevent an almost certain try for the hosts, keeping Bulls in the game.
York would extend their lead, however, in the 71st minute of the contest after Harris converted a penalty from in front of the posts, making it 16-8 to the hosts with under ten minutes of the contest remaining.
Sam Hallas scored for Bradford with three minutes of the match left, bullying his way over under the posts to set up a grandstand finish. Lilley scored the easy conversion to make it 16-14 to York.
The visitors made one more push to salvage something from the contest, but another error gifted the Knights possession.
One final play brought the game to a close, sparking jubilant scenes of celebration amongst the home crowd at the full-time whistle.
Victory now means that York go joint-top of the Betfred Championship, joining Toulouse on 24 points, while the Bulls now sit two points off the division’s top two sides.
Bradford return to action next Friday at home to Oldham, while York welcome Barrow Raiders to the LNER next Sunday.
