York City promoted to League Two after chaotic final day draw with title rivals Rochdale

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/rochdale/bm2Vlsfl/"]Rochdale[/a], who needed victory to snatch the title and ‌automatic promotion back to League Two from leaders [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/york-wesley/foozLgKA/"]York[/a], thought ‌they had done enough when [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dieseruvwe-emmanuel/h26wnbjt/"]Emmanuel Dieseruvwe[/a] headed them in front after 95 ‌minutes. His goal sparked a pitch invasion by home supporters that ‌delayed the restart.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/stones-josh/fszziK1I/"]Stones[/a] struck the equaliser in the 103rd minute with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/york-city/EcHUrsed/"]York[/a]'s last kick of the season, forcing the ball over the line in a scramble in ‌front of the net as York threw 10 ⁠players forward.[/p][p]Delighted York fans chanted [b]"We are ‌going up!"[/b][/p][p]The goal was confirmed by goal-line technology after referee Will Finnie consulted ​his watch, sending York fans streaming onto the pitch.[/p][p][b]"Everyone said it this season, 'York-time' and there's a real belief and togetherness in ​this group of players," [/b]York City boss Stuart [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/maynard-brewer-ashley/lWlys9ha/"]Maynard[/a] told DAZN.[/p][p]"The players are warriors. When (Rochdale) scored, our players came over to the bench ⁠and said there is one ​last chance in us. We've done that all year.[/p][p][b]"We're one big family. I love all of them."[/b][/p][embed guid="01d6fd10-5916-4088-b890-114800dd37c3" url="https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/2048034293222346942" social-type="twitter" /][p]York finished as champions on 108 points, returning to the Football League after a 10-year absence, while Rochdale ended two points ‌back on 106 and must seek promotion via the playoffs, where only one additional League Two place is available.[/p][p]On Friday, York City and Rochdale issued a joint call for an overhaul of promotion rules ahead of the title-deciding clash on the final day of England's fifth-tier National League.[/p][p][b]"I hope Rochdale go up,"[/b] Maynard said on Saturday. [b]"It's criminal in this league that teams can get over 100 points and not go up."[/b][/p][p]Both sides missed out in the playoffs last year, when York were ‌runners-up only to see [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/oldham/O4voiHlk/"]Oldham Athletic[/a] - who finished three places and 23 ​points behind them - win promotion.[/p][p][b]"Both clubs (York and Rochdale) sit on ‌over 100 points. One of us will have to fight once more in the National League Play-Offs,"[/b] a joint statement said.[/p][p]"However, we both strongly believe that this shouldn't have to be the case."[/p][p]The 3UP campaign was launched in February 2025, with the 72 clubs ⁠across the National League's three-division system ⁠calling for a third promotion ‌place into the English Football League.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/rochdale-bm2Vlsfl/york-city-EcHUrsed/?mid=v9KQGu5F"]Check out the match stats here[/a][/b].[/p]