York City secured a dramatic return to the Football League after a decade away, with a 103rd-minute equaliser in a scarcely believable finale that left 106-point Rochdale facing the playoffs. The Minstermen needed a point at Spotland to clinch the National League title and automatic promotion, and they got it in the most extraordinary circumstances.
Rochdale thought they had won it when Mani Dieseruvwe headed home in the 95th minute, sparking a pitch invasion. After a lengthy delay to clear the pitch, play restarted with six minutes of added time already played. York pushed forward and Josh Stones bundled the ball over the line in the 114th minute to secure the point needed for promotion.
“The maddest ever. Crazy,” Stones said. “When they scored, that’s what they’ve done all season. For the final game to have ended 0-0, it would have been a travesty for the league. I’m so happy. We deserve it as a group, the staff, the fans.”
The match had been a tense affair with few chances until the dying moments. Callum Howe’s header onto his own bar in the 92nd minute was the first sign of drama. Then Dieseruvwe’s goal from an Ian Henderson cross sent the home fans into ecstasy, but it was short-lived as Stones struck to silence the crowd.
York manager Stuart Maynard said: “I hope Rochdale go up. It’s criminal in this league that teams can get over 100 points and not go up.” Rochdale, who finished second with 106 points, must now navigate the playoffs, a huge test of character after such despair.
The National League’s promotion system, which allocates only one automatic spot, has sparked debate as Rochdale’s tally would have been enough to win most other divisions. York’s victory was celebrated wildly by 1,500 away fans, while Rochdale were left to pick up the pieces.
