Craig Farrell grabbed the first when he latched on to Mark Convery's long ball and coolly slotted home and Donaldson drilled the second into the top corner.

Centre-back Janos Kovacs put York 3-0 up soon after the restart when he headed in Martyn Woolford's corner.

Cambridge did hit the bar through a Sam Page header but Donaldson volleyed a fourth and he completed his treble with a neat header from a Woolford cross.

Cambridge Utd: Herbert, Morrison, Collins (Bridges 46), Duncan, Page, Stephen Smith (Quinton 77), Brown, Christian Smith, Brady (Josh Simpson 73), Chillingworth, Robbie Simpson.
Subs Not Used: Peters, Purser.

Booked: Collins, Brown, Robbie Simpson.

York: Evans, Craddock (Lloyd 40), McGurk, Kovacs, Peat, Convery (Elvins 75), Bishop, Panther (Greenwood 50), Woolford, Donaldson, Farrell.
Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, Parslow.

Goals: Farrell 21, Donaldson 33, Kovacs 47, Donaldson 63, 72.

Att: 2,428.