Key Takeaways
- Josh Stones scored in the 103rd minute to earn York City the point they needed for promotion.
- Rochdale, who reached 106 points, must now fight through the playoffs after last-gasp heartbreak.
- York return to the Football League after ten years away, sparking wild celebrations at Spotland.
York City are back in the Football League following one of the most dramatic finishes in National League history. Needing only a draw at Rochdale, the Minstermen trailed deep into stoppage-time after Mani Dieseruvwe’s 95th-minute header sent home fans streaming onto the pitch.
When play finally resumed, York threw everyone forward. In the 103rd minute, defender Josh Stones forced the ball over the line to level at 1-1 and spark delirious scenes among the travelling support. The point lifted York above their hosts and into the sole automatic promotion place.
“It’s the maddest game I’ve ever played in,” Stones said. “When they scored I feared the worst, but we never give up. This club means everything to me.”
Rochdale, who had lost just once at home all season and finished with a record 106 points, must now regroup for the playoffs. Manager Jimmy McNulty praised his squad but admitted the finale “will hurt for a long time”.
York’s return ends a decade outside the EFL and caps a remarkable revival under boss Stuart Maynard, who called the stoppage-time twist “pure cinema”. The Yorkshire club will join League Two next season, while Rochdale aim to secure a second chance at promotion through the four-team playoff bracket beginning later this month.
