Meanwhile York were languishing in 21st place 11 points ahead of the drop zone. A strong following of around 2000 Millers fans made the short trip to the county's captial and were subjected to arctic conditions that included snow in an open terrace behind the goal.
They were soon warmed up though when the Millers made a great start and took an early lead. Young winger Chris Sedgwick made headway down the right hand side and his cross was headed in by Leo Fortune-West who bagged one of his 17 goals for the season.
Ronnie Moore's men continued to push but could not force another goal and York were resurgent in the second half. It was Terry Dolan's first game in charge following the sacking of Neil Thompson and they put in a decent shift for him in the second half putting the league leaders under the cosh for much of the proceedings. They eventually drew level on 74 minutes when Barry Conlon, who would go on and play for the Millers five years later, broke free and drove in from 18 yards.
That looked to be it as the game petered out and was heading towards a draw but the game was to take a twist in the last minute. A free kick was awarded to the Millers in the York half. Kevin Watson clipped the ball in to the area and chaos ensued. Jason White managed to get a shot away that was parried by former Rotherham stopper Bobby Mimms. However, the ball could only be parried to Guy Branston who had no problem in stabbing the ball home from two yards out.
Both the players and the fans went barmy and Branston's famous 'Stomping' celebration was born. The Millers held on for the remaining few seconds to record a vital victory. They famously went on to achieve promotion thanks to another Branston goal at Hartlepool whilst York finished the season in 20th place.
Where are they now?
Mike Pollitt
Pollitt was a central figure in this promotion season and with bigger clubs sniffing around him he caused a massive stir by heading south and down a division to Chesterfield. He rejoined the Millers a year later and went on to become one of their most accomplished performers in the Championship.
He eventually left at the end of the 04-05 season when a shock move to the Premiership followed when Paul Jewell paid £150,000 for him. He had a fantastic season in the Premier League helping Wigan to comfortably survive and even appeared in the League Cup final although he went off injured after 20 minutes. However the signing of England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has since restriced Pollitt's appearances.
Rob Scott
The striker turned defender was also an integral part of this and the following promotion campaign with a steady and calm presence in the defence. Scott held his own at a higher level too as Rotherham fought against the odds to stay up for four seasons but the former Fulham man was hampered by injury for much of his last days at Millmoor.
A move across to the Pennines to Oldham followed in the summer of 2005 where he joined former boss Ronnie Moore. His stay at Boundary Park was only brief as he joined Macclesfield a year later. Despite playing an integral part in Paul Ince's great escape at Moss Rose last season, Scott was released and hooked up with another former Rotherham man in Chris Wilder at Halifax Town.
Brian Wilsterman
This big Dutch man signed from Oxford and his two years at Millmoor brought unparalled success where he got a promotion medal for both seasons. An asset in Division Three, his uncompromising style was found wanting at a higher division and he was only a bit part player in his second year at Millmoor. He was released following the 2000/01 season where he headed back to his native Holland. It is unknown what happened to him after that but he did not grace the professional game again.
Guy Branston
Branston was a real terrace hero at Rotherham and was a focal point of the club's double promotion. Ironically the rise up the leagues was just too much for him as the sharpness of the strikers often caught him out. The bustling centre half begrudgingly left Millmoor to drop a level at Sheffield Wednesday. It wasn't long before he was shipped out on loan to Oldham where he was joined by his former boss, Ronnie Moore.
He wasn't offered a permenant deal at Oldham though and joined League Two's Peterborough. He has courted controversy this season and finds himself banned for the rest of the season after breaking Football League rules for representing too many teams in one season.
Chris Sedgwick
The right winger was an excellent product of the youth system at Millmoor and his all action and skillful displays not only endeared him to fans but also contributed much to Rotherham's quick rise up the league. Once at a higher level he grew in to a solid player who was eventually Rotherham's only saleable asset and he moved to Preston North End for around £400,000 in November 2005.
In his time at Deepdale Sedgwick over 140 starts and is a favourite amongst fans as he has twice helped Preston in to the play offs.
Paul Hurst
Hurst is a real rarity in football nowadays- one club man! The tenacious defender made his debut in the mid nineties and received his testimonial in 2004. Often starting the season as a reserve for other players Hursty has invariably fought his way in to the side on merit.
Injuries have stuttered his appearances over the last two years but Hurst has still been able to notch up the record appearances for the club. Currently co commentating for Millers World, the 2007-08 season may be his last in a Rotherham shirt.
Darren Garner
Garner was a real asset for the club in the lower leagues and like much of this team he made a huge contribution to the double promotions. A horrific injury and playing at a higher level saw a down turn in form the midfielder and he left Millmoor in 2005 for Torquay.
He became settled in his native south west and went on to play for Newport County and Bodmin Town before settling at Launceston who play in the Carlsberg South Western League. He currently works in the building trade with former Plymouth striker Micky Evans.
Andy Turner
Having probably the most impressive pedigree of any Rotherham signing in recent history with Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Portsmouth and Republic of Ireland U21 Caps appearing on his CV, Turner was a huge disappointment during his time at Millmoor.
Despite this he still picked up two promotion medals and following his release his 2001 Turner has had spells at Rochdale, Yeovil, Northampton, Nuneaton, Tamworth and most recently has enjoyed FA Cup success with minnows Chasetown.
Paul Warne
Warne's career at Rotherham is definitely a tale of two halves. The first few years he was a vital cog in the wheel scoring many important goals and with it came work rate. He deserved the glory of a double promotion but he was one of the players that struggled to cope with the quick rise and eventually became a bit part player and a back up.
He left Rotherham in the huge cull of 2005 after seven years at Millmoor and was one of four ex Rotherham players to join his former boss at Oldham. Warne was a regular under both Moore and John Sheridan but despite getting player of the season for The Lactics last season, Warne was released by Sheridan. Rumours suggested he might have been returning to Millmoor but in a bid to prove his former manager wrong, Warne hooked up with Russel Slade at Yeovil.
Leo Fortune-West
The big striker was potentially the most important player in the 99-00 promotion team as his 17 goals fired the Millers up the table. He didn't stick around for much longer as it was that form that made Cardiff City pay £300,000 for the former Lincoln man. He achieved cult status status at Ninian Park notching up another two promotions before being released, where he made a return to South Yorkshire at Doncaster Rovers.
Another promotion was achieved there before spells at Shrewsbury, Rushden + Diamonds and Cambridge. Now, at 36 Leo is on loan at York in the Blue Square Premier.
Jason White
White was an early signing of Ronnie Moore and scored 22 goals in 73 starts for Rotherham. Although being involved in promotion he was deemed surplus to requirements in the summer and joined Cheltenham. A spell at Mansfield followed in the early 00's before slipping in to non league and joining former strike partner Lee Glover at Grantham Town. It is believed that White has now retired despite being just 36.