FROM bedlam to devastation as bonkers title race came down to the most chaotic finale of the ages.
Two pitch invasions in stoppage time saw York City steal promotion back from Rochdale, who had scored their all-important goal minutes before.
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Josh Stones scored the all important goal to secure promotion for York City Credit: Getty
In a tense game with everything at stake it was Josh Stones who held his nerves to seal national league promotion Credit: Reuters
fans invade pitch to mob Stones after his goal Credit: Getty
Josh Stones is the hero of York as his equaliser crept over the line in the 13th minute of injury time clinched automatic promotion to the Football League.
It came six minutes after Mani Dieseruvwe headed in Ian Henderson’s cross in the 95th minute, sparking a Dale a pitch invasion.
But the disturbance caused referee Will Finnie add more time on as league leaders York, who needed a draw to clinch automatic promotion, finally got over the line – literally- after a 10-year exile from the promised land.
The National League’s top two teams had amassed 212 points between them heading into the final day showdown at Spotland.
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Manchester City loanee goalkeeper Oliver Whatmuff, 18, kept Dale in it, with six huge saves in the second-half before the home side hit the crossbar two minutes into injury time.
With both teams on more than 100 points but only one guaranteed to rejoin the Football League and the other left to fight through a six-team play-off, it was always going to be devastating for the loser.
To underline the jeopardy for Rochdale , since the expanded playoff format was adopted by the National League, only six of the 23 second-placed finishers have gone on to win promotion.
Despite the tension on the pitch, both clubs put their rivalry aside on the eve of the lunchtime kick-off to co-author a statement pushing for the National League’s 3UP campaign to be accepted.
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A few months previously, the 72 clubs in the National League — including those teams in the National League’s North and South divisions — called to secure a third promotion spot to League Two.
This is the second time in the past four seasons that two teams in the National League have accumulated over 100 points after Wrexham and Notts County both achieved the feat in 2022-23.
The Welsh side won the title with 111 points and Notts County went up through the play-offs, having finished on 107.
York’s failure to achieve promotion last season after finishing runners-up with 96 points prompted co-owner Julie-Anne Uggla to write an open letter to the EFL and National League in which she described the current promotion system as having a “glaring imbalance.”
Stuart Maynard is mobbed after York City’s 103rd minute equaliser sealed the National League title Credit: Getty
Fans of Rochdale celebrate a goal that they thought sealed qualification to the National League Credit: Getty
Uggla, who saved the club from liquidation with her son Matt in the summer of 2023, was soaking in the sun in the away end with the 1,500 fans who crossed the Pennies.
After a feisty opener, which saw Dale have a goal disallowed for Dan Moss’ foul on the keeper, it was York’s Ollie Banks that picked up the first booking for a pull down on Moss.
The biggest moment of the first half came when 18-year-old Dale keeper Oliver Whatmuff, on loan from Manchester City, handled the ball outside the area with calls for the teenager to be sent off.
Luckily for Whatmuff, Ben Brookes blasted his free-kick about 30 yards wide.
York manager Stuart Maynard, who replaced Adam Hinshelwood last August, had his head in his hands straight after the break when striker Josh Stones sent a limp shot straight at Whatmuff.
Moss flashed wide shortly after but York started to take momentum as Stones latched on to another Hiram Boateng’s through ball.
Dale manager Jimmy McNulty made a triple sub as 41-year-old club record striker Ian Henderson, Casey Pettit, and Aidan Barlow replaced Ryan East, Devante Rodney and Luke Hannant.
York then matched it with the introduction of Ryan Fellowfield, Joe Grey and Dan Batty.
Rochdale fans, who were the 12th man for most of the contest, soon fell silent as it entered now or never territory as the clock ticked on their dream return.
Rochdale’s Mani Dieseruvwe (centre rear) scores with a powerful header Credit: PA
Rochdale fans invaded the pitch after Dieseruvwe’s goal Credit: Reuters
But it was York City fans who had the last laugh after promotion was confirmed Credit: PA
The National League’s top scorer Ollie Pearce, on 34 goals,soon stole the ball from Ethan Ebanks-Landell,fed to Stones who saw his deflected strike clawed away by Whatmuff.
York should have ended any lingering nerves in the 90th minute, but Grey Olley saw his effort saved by a heroic Whatmuff from point-blank range.
Two minutes into added time, Rochdale were almost in raptures when sub Callum Perry’s header smacked the woodwork.
And just when we thought it was all over, Dale legend Henderson’s brilliant cross, on his 450th club appearance, was picked out and headed into the top corner from a few yards out by Dieseruvwe.
